Visit JCPCUKSC/2020/0042
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ENVIRONMENT/PLANNING
R (on the application of Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) (Respondents) v Heathrow Airport Ltd (Appellant)
Case summary
Case ID
UKSC/2020/0042
Parties
Appellant(s)
Heathrow Airport Ltd
Respondent(s)
R (on the application of Friends of the Earth Ltd and others)
Issue
Did the Secretary of State's failure to take account of the UK’s climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement render the designation of the Airports National Policy Statement favouring the development of a third runway at Heathrow Airport unlawful?
Facts
On 26 June 2018, the Secretary of State for Transport designated the Airports National Policy Statement ("ANPS") under section 5(1) of the Planning Act 2008. The ANPS supports the development of a third runway at Heathrow Airport to deliver additional hub airport capacity in the South East of England.On 12 December 2015 the UK government adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which enshrines an aspiration to achieve a net zero greenhouse gas emissions level during the latter half of the 21st century. The UK ratified the Paris Agreement on 17 November 2016.The respondents (and others) challenged the ANPS on the basis of its failure to take account of the Paris Agreement. The High Court dismissed their application for judicial review, but the Court of Appeal allowed their appeal and held that the ANPS was unlawful. The appellant now appeals to the Supreme Court.
Date of issue
27 February 2020
Judgment details
Judgment date
16 December 2020
Neutral citation
[2020] UKSC 52
Judgment links
Judgment summary
16 December 2020
Appeal
Justices
Hearing dates
Full hearing
Start date
7 October 2020
End date
8 October 2020
Watch hearings
7 October 2020 - Morning session
7 October 2020 - Afternoon session
8 October 2020 - Morning session
8 October 2020 - Afternoon session
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Change log
Last updated 16 April 2024