Responding to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision that determined Heathrow Airport’s Third runway is unlawful, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London Luisa Porritt said:

“This decision does not change reality: a third runway at Heathrow airport will break our international obligation to tackle the climate emergency, as outlined in The Paris Agreement. Boris Johnson said he accepted the previous ruling, now he must hold his nerve and rule out the expansion of Heathrow Airport anyway.

“Airport expansion is the wrong priority for London, which already needs urgent action to improve our air quality. We know this decision will undermine our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5C, and with COP26 taking place in the UK next year it is essential we show international leadership on this issue.

“That’s why London Mayor Sadiq Khan should also use this moment to categorically rule out any expansion at City Airport. We need urgent action to address the climate emergency, and ending airport expansion in London must be the start.”