CIEH welcomes legally binding targets for clean air but urges fast and effective action to protect health

Responding to the imminent publication of the Environment Bill, CIEH has welcomed the renewed legally binding targets.

Earlier in the year, Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary at the time, outlined his commitment to limit levels of microscopic particulates by law to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, and cited the long-awaited Environment Bill as the vehicle to implement his pledge.

CIEH has long campaigned for a new Clean Air Act and for the Government to make tangible and deliverable commitments to improving air quality across the United Kingdom.

Tamara Sandoul, Policy Manager at CIEH, said:

“We are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to set legally binding air pollution targets, alongside plans to establish a stronger environmental regulator. However, these targets should be in line with WHO guidelines to protect public health and the environmental regulator should be given effective powers and resources to take action.

Our air should be cleaned up as quickly as possible rather than working to distant timelines. We will be studying the content of this Bill closely to ensure that that the legislation is effective to protect public health in the fastest time possible.”

However, local authorities tasked with driving local initiatives for cleaner air must be given adequate resources for local air quality monitoring and projects.”