Darren Johnson commented, “Mayor Ken Livingstone’s proposal for a congestion charge for those driving to Heathrow is a good idea. However, Greens are arguing that because much of the pollution and noise problems in the area stem from aviation, we need a congestion charge for air traffic as well as road traffic.”
Darren continued: “The aviation industry must pay its way for the environmental damage it causes. Only then will there be a serious incentive to stem the unsustainable growth in air traffic. Revenue from the air congestion charge should then be ring-fenced to help fund environmental improvements and sustainable transport initiatives in London.
This would really benefit London residents who suffer from the noise and environmental problems caused by flights at Heathrow."
The Greens point out that the aviation industry incurs many costs for which society as a whole picks up the tab, such as:
· The worldwide cost of dealing with the effects of natural disasters caused by global warming
· The healthcare costs of dealing with grave levels of air and noise pollution caused by aircraft and associated ground traffic.
Heathrow’s share of the hidden costs of UK aviation is estimated at almost £520 million a year, including over £294 million for its share of climate change-related costs. Greens want to see this recouped through taxation policies. Although international agreements prevent us from applying taxes to aviation fuel, we can have essentially the same effect through introducing emissions charges and congestion charges.
Zurich airport has a system of applying an emissions charge in which the most highly-polluting aircraft pay the highest charges. Revenues from the charge are used to finance emissions-related projects such as air pollution monitoring stations, and measures to reduce road transport to and from the airport.
Greens would go further than the Zurich system and argue that £100 million per year could be raised through congestion charge levied on Heathrow air traffic. Revenue from the congestion charge should be ring-fenced to help fund environmental improvements and sustainable transport initiatives in London.
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Heathrow’s share of the hidden costs of UK aviation is estimated at almost £520 million a year, including over £294 million for its share of climate change-related costs. Climate change is not the only costly result of aviation pollution. Heathrow alone contributes about 10% of the England and Wales total of volatile organic compounds (VOC)s, which are harmful to health. Heathrow’s NOx levels are predicted to rise by 110% by 2015.