AirportWatch, its members and associated organisations have, over the years, produced a great many publications on a range of aviation-related topics. The wealth of research demonstrates the UK’s airport expansion policy needs fundamental review. Also below are links to other important and relevant papers, produced by other bodies. Publications are grouped under the headings to the right.
AirportWatch bulletins
AirportWatch produces news bulletins about every 6 weeks – with updates on the most recent developments on UK airports and aviation
Summary: A short, easy to read explanation about why no runway is needed in the south east of England. Demand for air travel is not growing much. Business air travel is not growing. Aviation growth is inflated by tax subsidies. The north-south divide. Climate constraints. Haven’t we been here before?
“Gatwick Grounded: why a second runway will never fly”
Date: September 2015
Author: GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign)
Length: Short, glossy
Summary: The booklet sets out the case against a second runway at Gatwick. The main facts are: A Gatwick runway would provide only small economic benefit; there would be in-migration of population; it would worsen the north-south divide; it would cause urbanisation of countryside; the plane noise would be three times as bad as now; there would be road and rail chaos; and it would cause severe environmental damage.
Title: “A one-way ticket to high carbon lock-in: the UK debate on aviation policy”
Date: ? November 2012
Authors: F Ruth Wood, Alice Bows & Kevin Anderson, in Carbon Management Journal, Future Science
Length: 4 pages
Summary: … the debate is ongoing as to whether investment in aviation generates returns over and above similar investment levels elsewhere in the UK economy …The paper looks at whether investment in aviation is good for Britain. The evidence base to support future investment decisions on aviation expansion would include comparisons with anticipated returns from similar levels of investment in other areas of UK activity. Any investment in high-carbon activities now effectively locks all sectors included within the EU-ETS into a future with high carbon prices.
—— Title: ”Flying in the Face of Fairness: Intergenerational Inequities in the Taxation of Air Travel”
Date: November 2012
Authors: Intergenerational Foundation (Pete Lockley and Simon Dresner)
Length: 39 pages
Summary: The Intergenerational Foundation (IF) has been established to promote fairness between generations. They believe that each generation should pay its own way, which is not happening at present either financially or in terms of climate. A new report on aviation shows that aviation is subsidised, through not paying either VAT or fuel duty, and that this amounts to an annual subsidy of some £11 billion per year. This is money lost to the public purse, which could contribute towards funding public services. This means that there is a double injustice to future generations. Under-taxing aviation not only adds to the national debt which future taxpayers will have to fund, but also encourages more flying and greenhouse gas emissions which future generations will have to live with. Future generations will pay the price of the failure of this generation to control flying. It should be essential reading for all those involved in the debate about the future of aviation.
Global Climate Change and Biodiversity (April 2003)
This summary report from the international conference “Global Climate Change and Biodiversity” presents some of the scientific research into how the natural world is being affected by climate change – and also how the natural world might respond in the future. The conference, held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, in April 2003, was organised jointly by the RSPB, WWF-UK, English Nature, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. Global Climae change and Biodiversity pdf
“Birds on the Move” – by the RSPB
A climatic atlas of European Breeding Birds. (January 2008). A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds – which maps potential changes in distribution of all of the continent’s regularly occurring nesting birds – shows that we need urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and redouble our efforts for nature conservation, if we are to avoid calamitous impacts on birds. “Birds on the move” – Introducing a Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds (723Kb)