States must withdraw from commercial lobby group, say Friends of the Earth Guernsey.

"The involvement of Guernsey's Transport Board in the commercial "Freedom to Fly" pressure group is wholly inappropriate and unacceptable", Guernsey's Friends of the Earth group said today. "Not only are the environmental consequences of this campaign alarming, but serious questions arise about the judgement and accountability of our government."

"Freedom to Fly" is an aviation industry body representing the commercial interests of the industry, and promotes the development of extra runways and capacity at British airports.

The local environmentalists are concerned that the Transport Board is able to make the decision on our behalf to join such a group. "This is a commercial body, with commercial goals, which is acting against the interests of the wider, global, community. Whilst the Transport Board and its corporate buddies are scheming to fuel global climate change, the tragic effects of this are becoming clear. Pacific island nations are already disappearing under the rising waves, and the first signs of an environmental refugee crisis are brewing. To say the profits of these hugely rich corporate entities is somehow more important, is insulting and desperately misguided."

Rather than promoting the "Freedom to Fly" of ordinary citizens, this group is merely adding Pressure to Pollute. FoEG claims that for Guernsey's government to demand excessive and unpopular development in another country is beyond its remit. "We have a long and proud tradition of self-government, resisting many attempts at outside rule. Now the Transport Board are trying to meddle with the UK's planning and development process. We are not neighbours to these airports, we don't even deserve a seat at the Planning Enquiry, how can we imagine we can dictate terms to another sovereign government? It's arrogant beyond belief."

Commenting on the aviation industry pressure group, the local environmentalists said "This initiative is in complete opposition to the island's policies, which supposedly promote sustainable development and the curtailment of carbon dioxide emissions. Air travel is the most polluting form of transport possible, mile for mile, and that pollution is emitted in the most fragile region of the atmosphere. The harsh reality is that we must reverse, not promote, the growth in air travel if we are to become a sustainable community. For the island to be saying that we need more of this is totally inappropriate."

Mike Johnson

Atmosphere & Transport Co-ordinator

January 2002

[See also: The Filthy Rich by Mick Hamer, New Scientist 5 January 2002]