CIEH call for urgent re-evaluation of air quality regulations revocation

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) voices grave concern over the UK government's decision to revoke critical air quality regulations, as reported by The Guardian.

Documents obtained by Ends report and The Guardian shows the then Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, disregarded the advice of officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), who recommended a public consultation before reforming the regulations. The revoked regulations, 9 and 10 of the National Emission Ceiling (NEC), were instrumental in setting legally binding emission reduction commitments for five key air pollutants.

The decision to scrap these regulations without a viable alternative or public consultation had been met with strong criticism from environmental watchdogs, including the government's own Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The OEP had warned that this action weakens accountability, transparency, and potentially environmental protection itself. In response, the Environment Secretary assured OEP that expert advice was sought in making their decision. This latest revelation shows the government had misled the public with these remarks.

CIEH urges the government to urgently re-evaluate the decision to scrap these regulations in light of the substantial risks it poses to public health and the environment. It is crucial to align regulatory actions with CIEH's vision of safer, cleaner, healthier environments for all.

Louise Hosking, Executive Director of Environmental Health at CIEH, said:

“This decision not only dismisses vital expert advice but also misleads the public on the state of our environmental law. Ignoring the recommended public consultation and choosing a path that potentially weakens environmental protection is deeply concerning.

This approach, prioritising economic growth over public health, illustrates a dangerous 'health vs wealth' dichotomy. It fails to acknowledge that public health is the bedrock of a thriving economy. Amidst the government's broader ‘Smarter Regulation to Grow the Economy’ initiative, we are apprehensive that this might lead to further erosion of essential health protections.

We are committed to our vision of safer, cleaner, healthier environments for all, and this decision is a significant step back from that goal.”