Author Archives: HM Government

In my statement on 13 July this year, I said I would set out the next steps of the draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) process following the summer recess.

The government consulted on a draft Airports NPS between 2 February and 25 May this year.

We received over 70,000 responses, and work to analyse them is ongoing. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to feed in their views.

In the consultation document, my department was clear that further work was underway to update the evidence base, including revised aviation demand forecasts and the government’s final air quality plan. It was intended these documents would be presented for consideration during the initial consultation, but the timing of the general election meant this was not possible.

I am therefore confirming that there is a need to conduct a short period of further consultation to allow this updated evidence to be taken into account. This further consultation will focus mainly on the specific elements of the NPS affected, and is expected to begin later this year.

I appointed the former Senior President of Tribunals, Sir Jeremy Sullivan, to provide independent oversight of the consultation process. I am very grateful to him for his hard work in helping to ensure that the consultation was as open, fair and transparent as possible. Today (7 September 2017) I am publishing his report on the initial consultation, and can announce that he has agreed to oversee the period of further consultation.

In my statement in July I said that the timing of the election — in particular the need to re-start the Select Committee process — meant we now expect to lay any final NPS in the first half of 2018 for a vote in the House of Commons. This government remains committed to realising the benefits that airport expansion could bring, and I can confirm that we do not expect this additional period of consultation to impact on the timetable for parliamentary scrutiny of the NPS.

The government has committed to help fund innovative technologies and fuels to reduce maritime emissions, ultimately helping create a zero-emissions sector.

The government, in partnership with industry, has committed to spending over £6 million on funding trials of innovative energy saving devices, such as:

• state of the art propellers
• on board waste heat recovery
• rotor sails that use wind power to cut fuel consumption

In addition to funding trials, we are also now providing technical backing and expertise through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the following projects:

• work in Scotland to prove the use of hydrogen fuel cells for ferries in the UK
• Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries ongoing work to deliver innovative vessels such as hybrids, and their longer term efforts to prove the use of innovative propulsion and fuels for the next generation of ferries

The UK is playing a leading role in implementing binding energy efficiency targets for shipping, which we helped secure global agreement on in 2011. By 2025, the majority of new ships will be expected to be 30% more efficient than current designs.

Maritime transport emits around 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ annually worldwide, and is responsible for about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If emissions from international shipping are not addressed, studies suggest they will account for almost a fifth (17%) of global emissions by 2050, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Speaking in the run up to London International Shipping Week 2017, Maritime Minister John Hayes said:

The UK is home to a wealth of expertise in maritime technology, but more needs to be done to move this sector towards a zero emissions world.

That’s why this government is committed to backing vital technology to meet this goal, and we are looking to deepen our technical expertise to further support industry.

I will relay this message during London International Shipping Week 2017, where we will showcase the UK’s exciting future as a powerhouse of maritime innovation.

The government has also been working closely with industry to develop international regulations to support liquid natural gas and other alternative fuels. Vessels fuelled with liquid natural gas are regularly refuelling in the UK at ports including Teesport, Southampton and Immingham.

The UK already has several hybrid ships operating in its waters. These systems offer local air quality benefits, can be quieter for port communities and provide opportunities for further energy efficiency on board a vessel.