EXTINCTION Rebellion have staged a “die-in” outside Civic Hall in protest against the planned expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport.
Campaigners staged their protest in solidarity with a deputation to a full meeting of Leeds City Council. The group is urging the council to withdraw its endorsement of the airport’s expansion.
Protestors in the public gallery chanted “no more planes” as the meeting went ahead.
Extinction Rebellion is arguing that plans to expand the airport are incompatible with the council’s recent declaration of a climate emergency.
According to recent research from Leeds University the greenhouse gas emissions from LBA flights will exceed the entire ‘carbon budget’ that Leeds City Council has set itself in order to achieve its target of zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Dru Long, from Extinction Rebellion, said: “In a world seeking to prevent climate breakdown, there is no place for more flying, and Leeds simply cannot meet its carbon reduction targets if the planned expansion of the airport goes ahead.”
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