CIEH calls for firm commitment to WHO air pollution targets

Responding on Thursday 17 June to the coroner’s report, the UK Government outlined plans to increase public awareness of air pollution and provide additional funding to local authorities as part of the Air Quality Grant scheme.On particulate matter limits, the Government has now committed to a public consultation on new legal targets for PM2.5 and other pollutants early next year, with the aim of setting new targets in legislation by October 2022.However, they have so far refused to commit to meeting WHO targets, simply stating that these targets will “inform its ambitions” going forwards.As a member of the Healthy Air Campaign coalition of charities, CIEH has strongly campaigned for the UK Government to tackle the growing issue of dangerous levels of air pollution across the country. With the Environment Bill currently progressing through the House of Lords, CIEH is working with partner organisations and Peers to table amendments to the Bill to enshrine WHO air quality targets in UK law.

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