The government will not meet its targets on climate change unless it combats aviation emissions and halts the expansion of airports, a new report has concluded.

The IPPR warned against a further expansion in the number of British runways and calls for new measures to combat pollution and noise.

A spokesman for the DfT told ePolitix.com: "We welcome this detailed report which will be studied in advance of the white paper's publication later this year."

Forum Response: Virgin Atlantic

A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic told ePolitix.com: "Virgin Atlantic is committed to the sustainable development of aviation.

"However, we believe that this should be achieved via policies which actually meet environmental targets and do so at minimum cost, such as emissions trading in the case of carbon dioxide emissions.

"What the IPPR appears to be supporting is a 'smash and grab' by the exchequer; this will do nothing to improve the environment while damaging the competitiveness of UK airlines and hence the UK economy.

"Imposing further taxes and charges will also (unnecessarily) prevent lower-income passengers from enjoying the benefits of air travel."

Forum Response: British Airways

Andrew Sentance, chief economist and head of environmental affairs at British Airways, told ePolitix.com: "This report is a great disappointment and a missed opportunity. It perpetuates a number of misconceptions about the aviation industry, particularly on the issue of taxation.

"You only need to look on the roads to see the limitations of environmental taxation when applied to transport.

"Very high taxes on motor fuel have not been effective in limiting emissions or preventing congestion.

"Many of the proposals set out in the report would undermine the international competitiveness of UK aviation and damage Britain's economy, with little environmental benefit.

"On a more positive note the report does acknowledge the benefits of emissions trading. We have taken an industry lead in supporting such a strategy believing it is not only more environmentally effective but also more cost-efficient for the industry and the travelling public."

Forum Response: Woodland Trust

Ed Pomfret, spokesman for the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "We strongly support this report. The sky's the limit clearly sets out the true costs of air transport. It recognises the importance of the industry to the United Kingdom, but makes recommendations about how to make it sustainable. True environmental and human costs must be recognised.

"This is not a report by a group that has an axe to grind. Government and industry should sit up and take notice when a widely respected independent think-tank proposes a sustainable approach to air transport. The Woodland Trust welcomes the IPPR's recognition that much ancient woodland would be destroyed and that this would have 'a very serious adverse effect on biodiversity'.

"In addition to several of the Trust's own ancient woods being under threat, a further 950 hectares of this precious, irreplaceable habitat is also at risk. We are pleased that the IPPR is concerned by the impact of the industry on climate change and is worried that the UK's efforts to meet emission reduction targets will be undermined by increased air transport.

"Climate change must be tackled as a priority if we are to have any chance of a sustainable future."