On 25 November 2025, the UK government approved the plan by Heathrow Airport to move ahead with a third runway, part of a wider £33 billion expansion package aimed at “unlocking growth, connectivity, trade and tourism” for Britain. The Guardian+2GOV.UK+2
At Intersect Global, we recognise the clear business rationale behind this decision. But we also believe strongly in responsible, sustainable business, so we must acknowledge the serious environmental trade-offs and why this new runway may represent a dilemma for the future.
Why It Looks Good for Business
• Boosting Connectivity, Trade & Jobs
With expanded capacity, Heathrow can dramatically increase the number of flights, routes, and passenger throughput — connecting UK businesses to global markets faster and more directly. This opens up new opportunities for trade, partnerships, global expansion, and international mobility. GOV.UK+2Heathrow Airport+2
Proponents also point to significant job creation — from construction through to long-term airport and service roles as well as broader economic ripple effects for logistics, tourism, hospitality, exports/imports, and related supply-chains. GOV.UK+2Heathrow Airport+2
• Infrastructure Modernisation & Business Efficiency
A modernised airport infrastructure with additional runway capacity stands to reduce delays, improve schedule reliability, and increase efficiency for airlines and freight. That translates into better service reliability for business travellers, suppliers, international customers and smoother global operations. Heathrow Airport+2The Guardian+2
• Strengthening the UK’s Global Position
As a global hub, an expanded Heathrow could help the UK strengthen its position as a business and commerce hub. For businesses working internationally including those in tech, services, and trade, improved connectivity makes doing business with the UK more attractive.
For many organisations, this translates to potential growth, increased access to talent, easier supply-chain and client travel, and enhanced global competitiveness.
Why It’s Problematic — Especially for the Environment
• Significant Increase in CO₂ Emissions & Air Pollution
A third runway is projected to dramatically increase flights with estimates suggesting annual emissions could rise by around 4.4 million tonnes of CO₂. CIEH+2The Independent+2
This increase undermines efforts to meet the UK’s legally binding climate targets and conflicts with broader commitments on emissions reduction and net-zero goals. The Guardian+2The Guardian+2
• Noise, Air Quality & Local Community Impact
Expansion will not only increase carbon emissions, it will also significantly worsen noise pollution and lower air quality for communities around Heathrow. Aircraft noise could affect hundreds of thousands more people, while more flights and associated traffic will worsen air pollution. The Guardian+2Labour Hub+2
Local residents face potential displacement, increased health risks, and a decline in quality of life, all in the name of growth. Labour Hub+2The Independent+2
• Risk to Climate Commitments & Nature
Several environmental groups and climate-policy experts warn that expanding airport capacity while demand for air travel grows threatens to derail the UK’s net-zero and climate-target ambitions. euronews+2Politico+2
Moreover, relying on future technologies — such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to offset environmental damage remains uncertain. Critics highlight that SAF production and use are currently limited, and may not deliver the promised carbon reductions at scale. CIEH+2Politico+2
The Conflict: Business Growth vs Environmental Responsibility
For companies like Intersect Global and for businesses more widely, increased connectivity and growth potential are appealing and sometimes necessary. Yet, that opportunity comes at a real cost to our climate, communities, and future sustainability.
This expansion forces organisations and stakeholders to confront a difficult question: “Can economic ambition and global competitiveness justify pushing our environmental limits?”
In a world where climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly urgent, the answer may not be straightforward, especially when alternative strategies (sustainable logistics, remote collaboration, regional airport investment, greener travel technologies) exist but receive less attention.
How Business Can Respond — With Responsibility
At Intersect Global, we believe that growth and sustainability don’t have to be opposites. Here’s how businesses can approach the situation with integrity:
- Advocate for greener aviation — support sustainable policies, invest in SAF, back environmental regulation around aviation growth.
- Balance travel with remote-first strategies — use technology to reduce unnecessary flights, reserving air travel for critical engagements.
- Support transparency and community impact assessments — know how expansion affects local communities, and push for mitigation where possible.
- Promote sustainable business travel practices — carbon offsetting, train-first itineraries, carbon-conscious scheduling.
- Engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) — partner with environmental initiatives, invest in renewables or carbon reduction across operations.
Our View: Growth Must Be Balanced With Responsibility
We recognise the economic logic of expanding Heathrow: more capacity, better connectivity, job creation, global business access.
But we urge decision-makers and business leaders to treat this not as a zero-sum trade but as a challenge to embed sustainability and responsibility into every part of business strategy.
Because long-term business success depends on long-term environmental stability.
