Gordon Brown has been warned by senior ministers that approving a third runway at Heathrow could wreck the government’s green credentials and undermine efforts to combat climate change.

Weeks before a formal announcement on expanding the airport is due, the prime minister is facing a revolt from the cabinet and senior MPs.

They fear building the runway could harm the party’s electoral prospects and damage Britain’s chances of hitting its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

Among the critics is Harriet Harman, Labour’s deputy leader, who has been told that residents angry at the increased noise and congestion could eject a clutch of the party’s MPs in west London at the next election.

Hilary Benn, the environment secretary, has expressed concerns that Britain may not meet European Union air quality targets because of extra traffic at an expanded Heathrow.

Britain is three years behind European requirements for cutting emissions and may have to sacrifice pollution standards across London to allow at least an extra 60,000 flights a year at Heathrow. Benn, who lives under the Heathrow flight path in west London, has warned that the government may have to ask Brussels for a special deal to exempt the capital from official limits on exposure to pollutants.

David Miliband, the foreign secretary, who championed tough climate change measures when he was environment secretary, is also understood to be worried about the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of an expanded Heathrow airport.

Joan Ruddock, the climate change minister and London MP, is said to share concerns that the targets may be in jeopardy.

Other local MPs opposed to the scheme include Ann Keen, the health minister, and Andrew Slaughter.

The prime minister is due to meet a group of Labour MPs in Downing Street in the next fortnight to discuss fears that the expansion is so unpopular it could cost the seats of members nearest the airport.

At least 100 MPs from all parties, including 38 on the Labour benches, have signed a parliamentary motion opposing the third runway.

Among those who have made representations to Brown is Martin Salter, an MP who is vice-chairman of the Labour party with responsibility for the environment.

He has told the prime minister that allowing the runway could harm Labour’s green credentials.

Salter said: “It is clear Gordon is in listening mode from the interest he has shown in hearing all points of view.”

The prime minister’s spokesman said Brown had made up his mind in principle that the expansion should go ahead.

“The government has taken a political decision that it is right to go for a third runway at Heathrow but now it is going to be a planning judicial decision subject to very stringent environmental concerns,” said the spokesman.

“We have taken the decision in principle. It is now a planning decision.”

David Cameron, the Conservative party leader, has announced that a Tory government would tear up plans for a third runway.

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, wants to build a hub airport in the Thames estuary.

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