Reporting Back: Clean Air Strategy 2019

A number of constituents have recently got in touch with me to share their concerns about the future of the Environment and of the serious issue of air pollution more specifically. Earlier this week the Environment Secretary announced an ambitious new strategy to clean up our air and save lives.

You can read more about the new strategy yourself at the below web address.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019

 

Under measures announced, the UK will set an ambitious, long-term target to reduce people’s exposure to particulate matter which the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified as the most damaging pollutant.

 

Launching the Clean Air Strategy, the Environment Secretary said: “The evidence is clear. While air quality has improved significantly in recent years, air pollution continues to shorten lives, harm our children and reduce quality of life. We must take strong, urgent action. Our ambitious strategy includes new targets, new powers for local government and confirms that our forthcoming Environment Bill will include new primary legislation on air quality”.

 

With a commitment to end the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040, the UK is going further than almost every other European nation in tackling emissions from cars. Of course, air pollution does not just come from cars, and the Clean Air Strategy sets out a programme of work across government, industry and society to reduce emissions coming from a wide range of sources.

 

This announcement comes at a time when the Government have announced a wide-ranging series of measures to protect our environment, to ensure that we are the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than when we inherited it.

 

Locally, constituents have also contacted me who are concerned about Norwich’s air quality more specifically. Air quality is an issue devolved down to local authorities and Norwich City Council does have an action plan to improve air quality.

 

I have recently written to the Chief Executive of Norwich City Council, asking them to provide me with an update on progress against the action plan and more recent data about Norwich’s current air quality. As I know this is an issue that many local people care about, I will share this information once I receive it.

 

In addition to this, Broadland District Council keep up to date records on their own air quality action plans, which can be found at the below web address.

 

https://www.broadland.gov.uk/downloads/download/124/air_quality_documents

 

I know this is a matter that many of my constituents care about. As such, I will be keeping a close eye on the ongoing development of the Clean Air Strategy here in Parliament and keep my constituents updated as these measures progress.