Act now: call for clean air

Hello

All of us deserve to breathe clean air. But right now, the air in too many places is polluted, endangering our health, and especially the health of children, older people, and those with lung conditions.

The Government has proposed targets for cutting air pollution, and it wants to know what people think of them. What are those targets? Well, the World Health Organisation set air quality guidelines in 2005. The UK Government is suggesting that we meet them... by 2040.

We say that's not nearly good enough. And we're not alone. Among many others, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mother to Ella, who tragically suffered a fatal asthma attack aged nine with air pollution a contributing factor, has criticised the proposed targets as unambitious.

A 2040 target is nowhere near good enough: we need clean air now.

The Healthy Air Campaign, of which we are a member, has created a quick, straightforward tool which you can use to respond to the consultation on air pollution targets. Please respond by the deadline of 11 May, and share the tool with your friends.

Research published last week showed that almost all UK homes are affected by air pollution. You can use this postcode checker to see if your home, workplace or children's school is in an area with illegal levels of pollution and include it in your response.
 

Transport is key to tackling air pollution

Targets for shifting to electric cars and vans are very welcome, but at the moment, the shift isn't happening quickly enough. In 2021, battery electric cars accounted for 12 per cent of new car sales, but only one per cent of overall cars on the roads.

There are other things the Government could do as well, including:

• Improving public transport and encouraging people on board
• Bringing in a national network of Clean Air Zones where polluting vehicles are discouraged
• Investing in safe, attractive walking and cycling routes
• Bringing in more zero-emission buses

Please call on the Government to take a more ambitious approach to tackling air pollution, because everyone has the right to breathe clean air.

Thank you

Jess

Jess Fitch
Head of Digital Communications
Campaign for Better Transport