Letter to the Climate Change Committee: engagement during Airports National Policy Statement review
Published 25 November 2025
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Heathrow Expansion Team
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR
25 November 2025
Dear Nigel Topping CMG,
I am very grateful for the ongoing work of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in advising the UK and devolved governments on meeting its emissions targets and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
As you will know, in January, the Chancellor invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and set out our intention to review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). As part of this announcement, the Chancellor committed to engaging the CCC on how airport expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework.
In October, we launched the promised review of the ANPS, following an assessment of scheme proposals over the summer. We have today announced that the scheme put forward by Heathrow Airport Limited will inform the ongoing ANPS review, subject to consultation in the summer, and I am writing to you to set out how we would like to engage the CCC throughout this review process.
As you will be aware, my officials already work closely with the committee’s secretariat to consider the CCC’s advice as we develop policies to reduce transport emissions, including for aviation, in line with legislated carbon budgets and our nationally determined contributions. We value this and would like to continue this close working with the secretariat during the ANPS review.
However, I would also like to formally seek the CCC’s views on any proposed amendments to the relevant sections of the ANPS and the wider role of aviation in meeting cross-economy carbon budgets in the context of Heathrow expansion, building on the CCC’s Carbon Budget 7 advice.
I would like to receive this advice as part of any public consultation on a draft ANPS in summer next year, so that the committee’s views can be considered prior to any final draft.
To assist with this, we expect that we will be able to share modelling and analysis on aviation’s trajectory to net zero, including our analysis of the impact of Heathrow expansion, with the secretariat early in the new year, to help inform the committee’s advice in the summer.
I would also welcome the opportunity to discuss ANPS review progress with you as chair of the committee early next year.
Thank you again for the CCC’s continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP
Secretary of State for Transport