Gatwick will outline plans on Wednesday (August 24) to bring its northern runway into routine use.
It will launch a public consultation this autumn about its proposals, which it says “can be compatible with UK climate change targets”.
However, a campaign group claims that the second runway will add one million tonnes of extra carbon a year.
Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) – a community and environment group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent – said in a statement: “Whilst the children are off school and elected members holiday, Gatwick Airport choose a time when the skies are quiet to announce a public consultation that flies in the face of the climate emergency we are all facing.
“It is despicable for a company to ignore the emissions that planes in and out of Gatwick produce, that is causing grave danger for future generations that will have to pay the price for today’s greed of this leisure airport.”
A spokesperson for Gatwick said the airport’s plans are “in line with government policy to make best use of existing infrastructure and will increase capacity at the airport and generate vital jobs and economic benefits, to both the local area and the wider region, as we look to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic”.
The airport spokesperson added: “In partnership with the wider UK aviation industry, Gatwick has committed to cut aviation net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, in line with UK government targets.
“We believe our Northern Runway plans can be compatible with UK climate change targets given a strong industry focus on reducing emissions through market-based measures and innovation, including improvements in engine efficiency, the use of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen and electric-power technologies.”
CAGNE will hold a virtual talk on September 30 about the impact of the second runway.