The CCC argues that the only way expansion would be possible is through reliance on technologies which are currently either underdeveloped or in their infancy.

The report also highlights that emissions from aviation have more than doubled since 1990, while emissions across the UK economy as a whole have halved.

Heathrow Airport is currently responsible for around half of the aviation industry’s emissions.

Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement is currently underway.

It will conclude in November with a report from the Transport Committee.

The Government will decide at the end of the year whether to push plans for Heathrow expansion forward through a parliamentary vote.

Nigel Topping CMG, Chair of the Climate Change Committee, said:

“Emissions from flying are projected to rise, even without Heathrow expansion, and the UK does not currently have a credible plan to bring them down. That poses a serious challenge to our climate commitments.

“Our advice today is clear – Heathrow expansion is not currently compatible with the UK’s Net Zero target. Government needs to ensure that the aviation industry takes responsibility for the emissions it creates and bears the costs of decarbonisation. Those conditions do not exist today.

“This summer’s extreme weather has brought the impacts of climate change into sharp focus. Every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions makes those impacts worse. That’s why it’s so important the right policies are put in place now to fully address aviation emissions.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said:

“Any expansion proposal would need to align with our net zero targets.

“We’re investing £219 million in sustainable aviation fuel production and a further £43 million in cleaner technologies to support greener aviation, while expansion could deliver around £40 billion to the economy and support up to 60,000 local jobs.

“We will carefully consider CCC’s advice along with all responses received to the Heathrow expansion consultation.”

Paul McGuinness (Chair, No 3rd Runway Coalition) said:

“With the government’s own economic assessment suggesting it will lead to an aggregate loss of up to £62.5 for the UK, by 2060, and now its carbon advisers declaring that there’s no credible pathway for it within the UK’s climate commitments, Heathrow Expansion is clearly a dead horse. And what sort of government would knowingly flog those?”

Tania Kumar, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Energy Transition Director, said:

“With growing consensus across government and industry on how aviation can de-carbonise, we should move beyond the false choice between economic growth and environmental progress. The challenge now is to scale and commercialise the solutions that will deliver both.

“That means government and industry working together to boost airport capacity, while at the same time unlocking vital investment in areas like airspace modernisation, sustainable aviation fuels and carbon removal technologies that can help the sector decarbonise. If we get that right, the UK can lead the world in demonstrating how stronger global connectivity and faster aviation decarbonisation can go hand in hand.”