Help us stop the government approving a climate-wrecking third runway at Heathrow. 

In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves supported giving the green light to airport expansion. 

In April, the transport secretary granted the expansion of Luton airport. We expect similar news about Gatwick soon. A further decision on Heathrow is expected later this year, but we know the government backs expansion there too.  

It’s clear the government is still committed to backing industries reliant on fossil fuels, increasing air and noise pollution, and the destruction of homes and natural habitats. 

We must act now. 

We're told that Heathrow expansion will grow the UK economy. But the communities who need growth most, or those already experiencing the worst effects of climate change, won’t see many benefits. Instead, the lion’s share will be enjoyed by shareholders and wealthy frequent flyers. 

And this is all before we consider the impact this new runway will have on our climate and environment. At a time when we should be investing in reducing greenhouse emissions and improving green spaces, our government is prioritising projects that will jeopardise the UK’s ability to meet its climate promises. It’s hoping the additional emissions can be magicked away by new technologies, without evidence they work at scale yet.  

And it's not only people who will be affected. Alongside habitat loss, the noise and light pollution from airports severely disturb animals in the area, making it much harder for them to breed or communicate with each other. Allowing airport expansion is therefore premature and reckless, putting the health of our planet on the line. 

Why do we need your help?  

This isn't the first time we've taken on this fight.  

In 2020, we successfully challenged the government's plans to allow expansion at Heathrow, with the Court of Appeal ruling the go-ahead as illegal. Expansion would’ve been in complete contradiction to the climate emergency, when we needed urgent action to reduce climate-wrecking emissions.  

With your support, our lawyers and campaigners worked tirelessly to produce a case strong enough that it stood up in court. Unfortunately, our win was overturned later by the Supreme Court. But this judgment was no green light for expansion – it was clear that future plans must still address full climate considerations. 

We need your help to fight again. Our legal team continues to monitor decisions to expand UK airports, including the impact Heathrow’s plans would have on the UK’s legally binding climate commitments. 

We hope to raise £10,000 to help fund the amazing work our lawyers and campaigners do and help cover court costs and barrister fees should the need arise. But they can’t do it without your support. 

The government also aims to put laws in place that will allow projects like these to be given the go-ahead more easily, side-lining the say of local communities and people who’ll be most impacted. It couldn't be more important that we push the government to provide better solutions before it’s too late. 

We’ve stood up to the government before and we’ll be ready to do it again. Are you with us? 

Donate today to protect people and planet. 

Thank you,

Niall Toru 

Senior Lawyer at Friends of the Earth

Cover photo - Airplane landing to airport runway - stock photo

Image 1 - Passenger plane flying over the roofs of residential homes, low airplane flies, red roof tiles. Stock photo 

Image 2 - Flying barn owl. Heathrow expansion will have a huge impact on the thousands of species of flora and fauna native to the area. Stock photo