Climate change campaigners call for Wales Airshow to be cancelled

A climate change campaigner has asked Swansea Council chiefs if it is time to cancel the Wales Airshow because of the impact of aviation on the atmosphere.

Maddy Adams, a coordinator of campaign group Extinction Rebellion, was one of many members of the public who attended a climate emergency debate at a meeting of full council.

The air show has become a hugely popular summer fixture in Swansea, but Ms Adams felt a rethink was needed.

She said: "Due to the devastating effect of aviation pollution, will Swansea Council now be cancelling next year's air show?"

It was one of several questions put to the authority about its environmental policies.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said the ­­two-day air show was watched by around 250,000 people per year, which contributed some £8 million to the local economy .

This year's event takes place this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Cllr Francis-Davies said the air show was used by military aircraft pilots as part of their normal training regime, as opposed to additional flying hours, and that recycling initiatives would be to the fore along the seafront over the weekend.

The FireFlies above Swansea in a previous air show (Swansea Council)

Directly responding to Ms Adams' question, he said: "The answer is no. We will continue with the air show, and we will try to keep the carbon footprint down.

"But it's important for Swansea to attract visitors."

While the air show's contribution to UK aviation emissions is miniscule, campaigners have argued that the sector has had a free ride in climate change legislation - and the UK Committee on Climate Change said in May that significant cuts in aviation-related emissions would be difficult to achieve.

Emissions from aviation are growing rapidly and other sectors may have to make deeper cuts for countries to hit their climate change targets (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Swansea Council is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, with appropriate central Government support, after declaring a climate emergency at last Thursday's meeting.

A recycling charity, Recoup, will have plastic collection points at the air show and a stand by the Swansea Jack memorial opposite St Helen's rugby ground.

Anne Hitch, of Recoup, said: "Everyone is aware of the need to recycle and protect the environment from plastic pollution.

"Visitors can recycle their empty drinks bottles with confidence that it will be recycled back into another drinks bottle and back on the supermarket shelves in around five to six weeks."