Member

Finally, I turn to the amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Holmes of Richmond, on attaching environmental conditions to the holding and use of airport slots. The Government fully recognise the importance of reducing aviation emissions and supporting the sector’s transition to net zero. However, I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Foster of Oxton, that the slots regime is not the right mechanism for imposing emissions-related conditions on individual carriers. The Government are addressing aviation emissions through the appropriate policy levers, including the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, CORSIA and the sustainable aviation fuel mandate. The international slots regime is built on clear and predictable rules, including historic rights where slots are used sufficiently. Requiring carriers to retain slots by reference to separate emissions metrics would cut across that framework and create uncertainty for airlines and airports. I will return to wider environmental issues in the relevant group. For now, I ask the noble Lord not to press his amendment.