URGENT - ACTION REQUIRED BY 2 AUGUST 2010

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 21 June 2010

Removing western extension of congestion charging zone is ‘daftest’ of Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies

The Mayor of London (Mayor) has launched the final consultation on his plans to remove the western extension of the congestion charge (WEZ) (Note 1). The final deadline for comments is 2 August 2010. Your views can be submitted by email to CChargeConsultation@tfl.gov.uk or online at:

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharging/consultation/default.aspx

Key elements of the Mayor’s proposals, put forward by Transport for London (TfL), include:

• Removing the WEZ formally from 3 January 2011
• Increasing the daily charge in the Central Congestion Charging Zone (CCCZ) to £10 (£9 with ‘Auto Pay’)
• Residents in the WEZ area losing their 90% discount for travelling in the remaining CCCZ
• Replacing the Alternative Fuel Discount with a Greener Vehicle Discount which would provide a 100% discount to cars emitting 100g/km or less of CO2 and meet the Euro 5 standard

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) strongly opposes the Mayor’s proposal to remove the WEZ and reckons it is the ‘daftest’ of the Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies. Key reasons include:

1. Harmful emissions would rise by up to 8%: Emissions of the most harmful air pollutants would increase by between 3% and 8% in the WEZ area (which compares with an expected 13% reduction only between 2008 and 2011 across all London in the Mayor’s draft Air Quality Strategy) Note 2;

2. Congestion would increase by up to 21%: Congestion would increase by 15% to 21% within the WEZ area. The consultation document admits congestion would be worse than before the WEZ was introduced in part because local road capacity has reduced since 2007. Vehicles at 5 mph are about twice as polluting as those travelling at 20 mph (e.g. when congestion is lighter);

3. It would take years to regain WEZ benefits: The adverse impacts of removing the WEZ would only be offset ‘over time’. TfL cites mitigating measures that may enter into force from 2012…;

4. 48,000 people would lose their 90% discount: 48,000 people in the WEZ area are currently registered for the residents’ discount and would lose their 90% discount to drive in the CCCZ; and

5. £55 million net income per year: Removing the WEZ would reduce net income for London transport by £55 million. That must impact negatively on other transport projects.

Simon Birkett, Founder of CCAL, said: “Removing the WEZ is the ‘daftest’ of the Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies. With huge air quality and congestion problems, London needs to be moving forwards not backwards. The Campaign for Clean Air in London urges the silent majority to respond to the Mayor’s final consultation and oppose the removal of the WEZ.”

Notes:

1. For full consultation details see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/15520.aspx

2. For impacts see Table 3.3, page 20: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/appendix-e-report-on-the-removal-of-the-western-extension-zone.pdf   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 29 June 2010

Mayor Johnson publishes health study with first official breakdown by ward across Greater London of his estimate of 4,267 premature deaths a year due partly to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles

‘Clean Air in London’ estimate of up to 8,000 premature deaths also confirmed

Mayor Johnson has published his health study into the impact of poor air quality on Londoners. See:

http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Health_Study_%20Report.pdf

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“Mayor Johnson is to be congratulated for publishing (even belatedly) his health study with a breakdown for every ward across Greater London of his estimate of 4,267 premature deaths a year due partly to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles. This report paints a shocking picture of the Olympic city.

“Recognising the importance of this new information, the Mayor has today delayed by three weeks the closing date for the consultation on his draft Air Quality Strategy (draft AQS) until 13 August.

“For the first time every person, ward councillor and politician across London can see average levels of fine airborne particles in their ward and the premature deaths linked to it. The report also publishes a range of 756 to 7,965 with the ‘best’ estimate of 4,267 premature deaths. It confirms CCAL’s estimate of up to 8,000 premature deaths in London due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles.

“This report makes clear the worst air quality and greatest legal breaches occur in inner London and near our busiest roads. For the first time though it shows that air pollution is a problem throughout London. It may therefore come as a surprise to some in outer London who thought air pollution was not their problem. I urge people to see what the health study shows for their local area.

“This report will have major ramifications for years to come. First, we need a major campaign to build public understanding of the health impact of poor air quality so people know how to protect themselves and reduce air pollution for everyone. Second, we need a much more ambitious air quality strategy from the Mayor (with urgent bold measures including much cleaner taxis, buses and one or more additional inner low emission zones (like the 40 Germany had by the end of last year)). Third the new Government must publish similar premature death estimates for the UK as a whole (in contrast to the failing or ‘cover-up’ by the previous Government, which steadfastly refused to do so), as demanded by Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee in March this year, and publish redacted information hiding details around legal action from the European Commission about UK breaches of air quality laws every year since 2005.

“Finally, Transport for London (TfL) which yesterday extended the consultation on the postponement of Phase 3 of the low emission zone (LEZ3) (due to ‘recent technical problems with the public consultation inbox’) by six days to 4 July must extend that consultation by a further three weeks or more to allow Londoners time to see this health study and object to the delay of this important measure intended to protect people across London.

“CCAL will continue pressing the Mayor and TfL to release other information relating to actual and possible breaches of air quality laws that should also have been published with each of the ongoing three consultations (LEZ3, draft AQS and removal of the western extension of the congestion charging zone).

“Dr Brian Miller, the author of the health study, must also be thanked and congratulated for this groundbreaking work.”

ENDS

Note:

The health impact of short-term and long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles is believed to overlap to some extent although long-term exposure causes many more premature deaths than short-term exposure. Premature deaths can also be caused by short-term exposure to sulphur dioxide and/or ozone.   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 3 June 2010


European Commission singles out United Kingdom with final written warning over levels of dangerous airborne particles (PM10) in London and Gibraltar

‘Clean Air in London’ warmly welcomes the European Commission’s action and says it must act as a wake-up call to the new Government which has already watered-down bold Liberal Democrat manifesto commitments on air quality

EU air quality laws for PM10, in legislation since 1999, have been breached in London every year since they entered into force in January 2005. Similar laws for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas, were breached in London within weeks of entering into force in January 2010. No sign of compliance before 2012 Olympics (or thereafter)


European Commission announcement

The European Commission is pursuing legal action against the UK for failing to comply with EU air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles (PM10). These particles, emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, may have negative effects on health leading to asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. A second and final written warning has been sent to the UK for still exceeding the limit values for PM10 in London and Gibraltar. See:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/687&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Final warning for UK over PM10 levels

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “Air pollution is bad for our health. It reduces human life expectancy by more than eight months on average and by more than two years in the most polluted cities and regions. Member States must comply with EU air quality standards quickly and reduce air pollutant emissions.”

The Commission started this legal action because a number of zones in the UK were exceeding the PM10 limit values in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Commission is now sending a final warning to the UK for breaching EU air quality standards. According to the latest data (provided in September 2009), two areas, namely London and Gibraltar, exceeded the daily limit value for PM10 in 2008. Gibraltar also exceeded the annual mean limit value for PM10 in 2008.

This is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by the Commission against Member States following the entry into force in June 2008 of the new EU Air Quality Directive. The Directive allows Member States to request, under certain conditions and for specific parts of the country, limited extra time to meet the PM10 standards which have been in force since 2005.

First warning letters were sent at the beginning of 2009 to Member States that had not by then submitted notifications for time extensions or had not notified the Commission about all air quality zones exceeding the limit values for PM10. As a result, most Member States involved submitted notifications for a time extension.

The UK submitted an exemption request for eight zones including London. However, the Commission did not consider the exemption justified, as seven out of the eight zones already complied with the limit values. For London, the Commission considered that the UK had not shown that compliance with the daily PM10 limit value would be achieved by the time the exemption period expired in 2011. The UK has recently sent a further exemption request for London, which is still under assessment. However, given that zones still exceed the PM10 limit values, the Commission is sending the UK a final warning (Case number: 2008/2205). If the UK fails to take the necessary measures to comply with the legislation, the Commission could refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) warmly welcomes the European Commission’s much needed escalation of legal action against the UK for continuing to breach air quality laws that have been in legislation since 1999 and required to be met since January 2005.

“It is only surprising that the Commission has patiently waited more than 16 months to move from the first to the second stage of legal action. In future, it must escalate action much faster since UK government’s seem to understand nothing else.

“The dying act of the last Government, on 3 May 2010, was to reapply for a time extension until 2011 to comply with air quality laws for dangerous airborne particles when it must have known its new case is based on little more than the assertion “we expect to comply by 2011” (with the new Government, the Mayor and the European Commission set to take the blame when the UK breaches this standard in London in late 2011 as it surely will). Ridiculously, for example, the Government’s plan (lodged on 3 May) assumed that: Phase 3 of the low emission zone (LEZ3) will be postponed until 2012 (i.e. pre-judging a consultation on a planned measure); and the western extension of the congestion charge zone (WEZ) will remain (i.e. not pre-judging a consultation on the removal of a successful existing measure on which the Mayor has (rashly) ‘staked his colours’). CCAL will be urging the Commission to reject the UK’s reapplication.

“Will the new Government continue to claim litigation privilege to stop the disclosure of redacted sections of ministerial briefing papers after rulings by the Information Commissioner’s Office and more recently the Information Tribunal? Even the Government admits that those redacted sections, if disclosed, could undermine its ability to defend itself against the Commission’s legal action which has been escalated today. What is the Government hiding?

“The Mayor of London is no better: his draft Air Quality Strategy is riddled with wishful thinking; and he continues deliberately to take backward steps on air quality, particularly in respect of transport, when rapid leaps forward are required. In that respect, for example, the removal of the WEZ would be a ‘double whammy’ because air quality will worsen and Transport for London will lose over £55m of net income. The best thing the Mayor has done on air quality is to tell us the scale of the problem - 4,300 premature deaths per year in London due, at least in part, to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles. And he still refuses to say how that number is calculated or release ward by ward and borough by borough breakdowns as CCAL has requested under Freedom of Information rules. Why has the Mayor quietly extended the deadline for responses to his draft Air Quality Strategy from 20 June to 23 July 2010?

“The Commission’s action is a welcome warning shot across the bows of the incoming coalition Government that committed weakly, in its coalition document, to “work towards full compliance with European Air Quality standards” i.e. without acknowledging any responsibility for complying with these laws and with no deadline specified. At least the Liberal Democrat manifesto had said “We will aim to fully meet European air quality targets by 2012”. Where are those bold words now?

“Let’s not forget either that the UK breached air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas, for a whole year in London within weeks of the 1999 standard entering into legal force in January 2010.

“We need: the Government to respond immediately by publishing national and regional estimates for the number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles (as the House of Commons cross-party Environmental Audit Committee demanded in March this year); and the Government and the Mayor to introduce urgently meaningful measures that will tackle a problem causing more early deaths than alcoholism, obesity or passive smoking. Action now would have the added benefit of kick-starting green industries.

“We have only UK political leaders to blame for: today’s final written warning from the European Commission; and the wasteful prospect, in due course after Court action, of unlimited lump sum and daily fines that could total £300 million.”   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 11 May 2010


‘Clean Air in London’ (CCAL) wins at Information Tribunal after Government’s counsel admits Tribunal’s ruling means “it does not have much of an appeal left”

Government plans to seek permission for a further appeal to stop release of redacted sections of Ministerial briefing papers

CCAL believes redacted sections are likely to highlight: weaknesses in Government’s case against legal action by European Commission for breaching air quality laws; and difficulties Government has had agreeing a co-ordinated approach with Mayor Johnson

Government has today re-applied for a time extension until June 2011 to comply with the EU daily limit value for dangerous airborne particles (PM10)


Earlier today, the First Tier Information Tribunal began hearing an appeal by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs against an Order by the Information Commissioner's Office on 2 November 2009 for it to release all information requested by the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) on 22 January 2009. CCAL’s original request was for:

“...a copy of any minutes, papers, correspondence or other material relating directly to any meeting (including sent subsequent to it) that takes places between Lord Hunt and Mayor Johnson. I believe the meeting may include discussions about the western extension of the congestion charging zone and air quality”.

CCAL’s barristers asked the Information Tribunal to reject the Government’s attempt to raise new legal arguments late in the appeal process. The Government admitted there were no special reasons why the Tribunal should consider the arguments and that the only reason it had not made them earlier was an error. The Tribunal ruled within minutes that the Government was not allowed to run the new arguments.

As a result, the Government’s barrister admitted, in open court, that "it does not have much of an appeal left” and said it intends to seek permission to appeal the Tribunal’s ruling.

The Tribunal has said it intends to publish written reasons for its decision before the end of this week after which the Government is expected to lodge formally its application for permission to appeal. If the appeal is granted, it would be heard by the Upper Tier of the Information Tribunal.

Quotes:

Simon Birkett, Founder of CCAL, said:

“It is amazing the Government has twice now refused to release this information to the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) and twice now appealed decisions against it: first by the Information Commissioner’s Office and now by the Information Tribunal.

“Again and again, the Government is stalling and making excuses. After obtaining three tranches of the requested information, the remaining information CCAL is seeking is likely to highlight: weaknesses in the Government’s case against legal action by the European Commission for breaching air quality laws; and the difficulties the Government has had in agreeing a co-ordinated approach with the Mayor of London so that credible information and plans could be submitted to the European Commission. Worryingly, it is clear from the Ministerial briefing material already released to CCAL, Ministers and officials gave little or no thought to the scale of the health impacts of poor air quality in London when they were preparing to meet Mayor Johnson in January 2009.

“With the: Mayor saying, yesterday, he plans to launch final consultations in May about the removal of the western extension of the congestion charging zone (WEZ) and the postponement of the third phase of the London low emission zone (LEZ3); and Government reapplying today for a time extension to comply with the European Union (EU) daily limit value for dangerous airborne particles (PM10), there has never been greater public interest in seeing the information the Government is hiding.

“The Government is clearly pursuing delay for delay’s sake so that:

• LEZ3 will be postponed;
• the WEZ will be removed;
• its time extension application will be granted; and
• legal action over PM10 will be avoided

before this information is released.

“How many times does the Government have to be told it is in the wrong before it discloses key information relating to harmful emissions and the protection of public health in London?

“It is ironic the Government has re-applied today for a time extension to comply with the EU daily limit value for PM10 in London on the same day it has lost again its fight to keep secret evidence which may show the European Commission was misinformed or mislead by the Government in its original application to the Commission. Bizarrely, the reapplication assumes LEZ3 will be postponed until 2012 but not that the WEZ will be removed.

“Finally, CCAL wishes to thank again its legal team comprising leading barristers, Gerry Facenna and Laura Elizabeth John, and Phil Michaels, Head of Legal at Friends of the Earth. Without this tremendous legal team, CCAL would never have been able to win this case.”

Notes:

1. Full details of CCAL’s battle to obtain information around Ministerial meeting with Mayor Johnson on air quality, including Ministerial briefing papers, can be seen at:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2010/4/28/4516369.html

2. The Government’s reapplication for a time extension to comply with EU daily limit value for PM10 in London is attached.

   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 28 April 2010


‘Clean Air in London’ is joining Information Commissioner’s Office at Information Tribunal on 11 and 12 May to fight Government appeal against Order to release details including Ministerial briefings relating to its January 2009 meeting with Mayor Johnson

‘Clean Air in London’s’ excellent legal team includes barristers, Gerry Facenna and Laura Elizabeth John, and Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice Centre

Government has released information, in three stages, but key elements still ‘redacted’

Evidence so far suggests Government: had failed to communicate, even internally, the health impact of poor air quality in 2009 (or later); and may have mislead the European Commission in its time extension notification for PM10 and/or during infraction action


‘Clean Air in London’ has spent 15 months fighting to uncover Ministerial briefings

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) submitted a request to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and/or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) on 22 January 2009. CCAL requested:

“...a copy of any minutes, papers, correspondence or other material relating directly to any meeting (including sent subsequent to it) that takes places between Lord Hunt and Mayor Johnson. I believe the meeting may include discussions about the western extension of the congestion charging zone and air quality”.

The Government is under a legal duty to respond to such requests within 20 working days. On 1 April 2009, the Government rejected CCAL’s request in full. On 1 May 2009, CCAL called for a review of the decision and this was rejected, again not within the statutory 20 working days but on 15 September 2009.

CCAL lodged a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on 3 October 2009 asking the ICO to consider the case urgently because of the public health issues involved and the fact the UK was: applying to the European Commission for a time extension to comply with European Union (EU) limit values for dangerous airborne particles (PM10); and already subject to infraction action. The ICO responded, with almost unprecedented urgency, no doubt because of the seriousness of the issues involved, and ordered Defra to release all the information requested by CCAL. Defra rejected this request and lodged an appeal against the ICO’s decision on 1 December 2009.

On 24 December 2009, Government lawyers sent (by first class post) a first tranche of information to CCAL. In response to a separate and later FOI/EIR request, the Greater London Authority (GLA) released promptly, on 11 March 2010, a copy of the letter from Lord Hunt to Mayor Johnson dated 5 February 2009 (which was one of the documents CCAL had been seeking) and the Mayor’s response to Lord Hunt dated 16 March 2009. Later the same day, the Government chose to release suddenly to CCAL the same Lord Hunt letter.

Defra released a third tranche of information on 8 April 2010, a few days after receiving CCAL’s 31 page Witness Statement which attached 37 annexes (totalling over 350 pages of evidence), which included Ministerial briefing papers and emails between senior Government officials. Key sections are blacked out (or ‘redacted’) in different documents. All these documents are being published with this Campaign Update for the first time.

A particular focus of the information released so far relates to the Government’s approach to: the Mayor’s proposed removal of the western extension of the congestion charging zone (WEZ); the Mayor’s suspension of Phase 3 of the London low emission zone (LEZ3); the process to seek time extensions to comply with EU limit values for PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2); and a ‘defensive’ briefing for Ministers on the Government’s proposed expansion of Heathrow.

CCAL is keen to understand also whether the Government has acted responsibly in: seeking a time extension to comply with EU limit values for PM10 (and/or NO2); and defending the UK from infraction proceedings, launched by the European Commission on 29 January 2009, in relation to breaches since 2005 of EU limit values for PM10.

The Information Tribunal is due to hear Defra’s appeal in London on 11 and 12 May 2010. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the ‘Respondent’ and Simon Birkett, Founder of CCAL, has been joined as an ‘Additional Party’ at his request.

CCAL is advised on a pro bono basis by barristers, Gerry Facenna and Laura Elizabeth John, and Phil Michaels, Head of Legal at Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice Centre.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) lodged its request for information on 22 January 2009 in a bid to uncover crucial information relating to Ministerial briefings about air quality in London ahead of a key ‘political’ meeting between Lord Hunt and Mayor Johnson.

“CCAL would never have been able to challenge the Government’s persistent stalling and refusal, over some 15 months, to release information prepared for these air quality meetings without decisive advice from Gerry and Laura and then the backing of Phil Michaels and his outstanding legal team at Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice Centre.

“CCAL is keen to understand, not least, whether the UK Government has acted responsibly in: seeking a time extension to comply with EU limit values for PM10 (and/or NO2); and defending the UK from infraction proceedings, launched by the European Commission on 29 January 2009, in relation to breaches since 2005 of EU limit values for PM10.

“It seems astonishing, just months after CCAL disclosed details of one of the biggest public health failings or ‘cover-ups’ by a Government in modern history and the European Commission rejected the UK’s application for an extension of time for PM10 due to ‘significant uncertainty’, that the Government is still fighting the release of information which relates directly to the same area of public health and full compliance with air quality laws.

“CCAL is determined to find out about Ministers’ understanding of and approach to: the impact on public health of poor air quality in London; the Government’s obligations under European Union (EU) laws to ensure ambient air quality; and the need for the Secretary of State to issue directions to the Mayor of London under section 363 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 if the Mayor continues to take decisions that jeopardise the UK’s ability to achieve EU limit values in London (e.g. by removing the western extension of the congestion charging zone (WEZ) and/or delaying Phase 3 of the London low emission zone (LEZ3)).

“The third tranche of information just released by the Government (within days of receiving CCAL’s Witness Statement together with a barrage of supporting evidence), which still includes many ‘blacked out’ (or redacted) sections, provides ample evidence – in CCAL’s view – to suggest the Government: had not grasped adequately the scale or urgency of the public health threat posed by poor air quality by 2009 (or later); and may have mislead the European Commission when it submitted its time extension notification seeking a delay until 11 June 2011 to comply with EU limit values for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) and/or in defending the UK from infraction proceedings.

“A picture is emerging of a Government which: has failed to communicate the dangers of poor air quality internally within Government, never mind to the general public; is more concerned with delaying compliance with air quality laws than achieving it; and seems to want to avoid a row with the Mayor even when he is taking one or more backwards steps on key air quality measures and threatens to jeopardise the UK’s legal case for a time extension on PM10. Is there any ‘political will’ in Government to achieve full compliance with air quality laws?

“It is time the Government accepted the overwhelming public interest in favour of it releasing immediately the remaining information. It is long past time we were told the truth.”   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 28 March 2010

Mayor Johnson says 4,300 premature deaths a year in London are linked to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles at an annual cost of up to £2 billion

Mayor of London has today joined Parliament’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee in calling on the Government to commit the resources necessary to reduce the enormous burden air pollution places on organisations such as the NHS and to implement national measures
where they are most effective

Mayor Johnson has made improving air quality in London a General Election issue by ‘throwing the gauntlet down’ and sending the Government a wish list of 14 measures it needs to take

Mayor Johnson publishes his draft Air Quality Strategy for public consultation

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has today published his draft Air Quality Strategy, ‘Clearing the Air’, for public consultation. See media release (with a link to the full document):

http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/plans-announced-tackle-pollution-londons-dirtiest-roads

The consultation period will run until 20 June 2010.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

“Mayor Johnson’s estimate of some 4,300 premature deaths a year in London due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles is far higher than unofficial estimates produced late last year by the Campaign for Clean Air in London Note. This is truly shocking news when compared to 2,600 deaths nationally due to road traffic accidents.

“Unlike the Government though, which has failed to publish or ‘covered-up’ a similar estimate for London and the UK as a whole, at least the Mayor is warning people about the full health impact of poor air quality. The Government’s omission represents one of the biggest public health failings or ‘cover-ups’ in modern history.

“Boris has made action on air quality a General Election issue by ‘throwing the gauntlet down’ to the Government by joining today with Parliament’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee in calling on the Government to play its part finally in improving London’s awful air quality.

“However, Mayor Johnson's draft Air Quality Strategy, which includes 14 measures he wants the Government to take, represents more of a ‘wish list’ itself than a strategy to address one of the biggest public health crises in London. How many premature deaths will actually be avoided each year if the Mayor’s committed measures are implemented?

"The Mayor has published a ‘wish list’ not a strategy. He clearly:

• wishes he could delay compliance with laws for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) until 2011 instead of 2010 as required following the European Commission’s rejection of the Government’s application for a time extension last December

• wishes the Government would fund and implement 14 of the most important measures needed to improve air quality in London

• wishes the UK didn’t need to comply with hourly legal standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which were breached in London for a whole year less than a month after entering into force on 1 January 2010

• wishes annual mean NO2 didn’t need to stay below 60 micrograms per cubic metre from January 2010 even if the UK gets a time extension until January 2015

• wishes removing the western extension of the congestion charging zone (WEZ) wouldn’t result in new breaches of the daily legal standard for PM10 in Brompton Road

• wishes the Government will fail to spot he is planning to sacrifice tens of millions of pounds of income (and making air quality worse) by removing the WEZ at the same time he is asking the Government for money and putting up bus fares

• wishes the weather was always mild and wet and London didn’t have hot summers like 2003 which is estimated to have resulted, in London, in an additional 46 to 212 premature deaths due to ozone and 85 from dangerous airborne particles

• wishes his ideas for action by 2020 would be enough to protect Londoners now and avoid embarrassment at the London 2012 Olympics

“The first ever official estimate in the UK for the full health impact of poor air quality must mark the start of much more vigorous efforts by the Mayor and the Government, working together, to protect our health.

ENDS

Note:

The Mayor says his estimate of premature deaths includes those due to all particles (i.e. including non-human sources) whereas the Campaign for Clean Air in London’s estimate of 3,460 in 2005 included only those due to anthropogenic sources (i.e. human sources). The Government recently estimated the non-anthropogenic level at just 1.418 micrograms per cubic metre in 2008.   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 23 February 2010

Government Minister acknowledges, for the very first time, the possibility of 35,000 premature deaths in a year due to air pollution in the UK

‘Clean Air in London’ urges Environmental Audit Committee to support call for government apology after its failure to publish, or ‘covering-up’ of, an estimate for the number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles

Previous EAC oral evidence session confirmed ‘Clean Air in London’ estimate of 3,460 premature deaths (or up to 7,900) due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles in London in 2005 and around 35,000 nationally

The cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) congratulates Parliament’s powerful Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) again on the rapid progress of its hard hitting and effective inquiry into whether the UK has an effective strategy to comply with its air quality obligations. It is clear today the UK does not have such a strategy.

Environmental Audit Committee third and final oral evidence session

The EAC held its third and final oral evidence session today as part of its air quality inquiry. Those interviewed included:

• Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister for Food, Farming and Environment;

• Daniel Instone, Deputy Director, Atmosphere and Local Environment Programme;

• Tim Williamson, Air Quality Science and Evidence Team; and

• Robert Vaughan, National and Local Air Quality Strategy, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

The webcast of the third oral evidence session can be seen at:

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5914

Questions on the health impact of poor air quality begin at 19 minutes, 25 seconds.

Quotes:

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“Why has it taken direct questioning by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) to get a government Minister to refer, for the very first time, to the possibility of 35,000 premature deaths in the UK in a year due to air pollution?

“The highest government number we have heard before was ‘up to 24,000 deaths per year (nine times more than traffic fatalities)’ when the same Minister gave a speech on 17 September 2009. A Freedom of Information request by the Campaign for Clean Air in London confirmed the ‘up to 24,000’ number used in the speech last year was based on 1998 estimates for the health impact of air pollution (which themselves comprised 8,100 premature deaths due to short-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles; 3,500 due to sulphur dioxide; and between 700 and 12,500 due to ozone). It is clear the government knew as early as 2001 that long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles was responsible for many times more premature deaths than short-term exposure.

“Under intense questioning as part of the same EAC inquiry two weeks ago, Professor Frank Kelly – one of the UK’s most respected health experts – confirmed the likelihood of around 35,000 premature deaths in the UK in 2005 due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles. Professor Kelly mentioned also a European estimate of some 50,000 for such deaths for the UK. Even allowing for some overlap between the number of premature deaths due to short-term and long-term exposure, and perhaps between different types of pollutants, the EAC has finally unearthed the real impact of poor air quality in the UK.

“We should remember too that, even if the UK achieved clean air tomorrow, people would still continue to die prematurely due to their earlier exposure to dangerous airborne particles. Only over time, as a population generation lived its whole life free from air pollution, would people reach their full potential life expectancy.

“It is very odd the government has never published an estimate for the number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles in the UK. The government’s omission is particularly odd given the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, the US’s Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation have all published such numbers in recent years as part of their communications to warn the public about the dangers of air pollution.

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London is therefore repeating its call for the government to apologise for not warning the public, as it should have done, about the full extent of the health risks of poor air quality after its failure to publish, or its ‘covering-up’ of, an estimate for the number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles. The EAC may have uncovered, as CCAL predicted last December it would, one of the biggest public health failings by a government in modern history.”

Notes:

1. Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into air quality

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) announced on 21 October 2009 its inquiry into Air Quality. The purpose of the inquiry is to assess whether the government is developing an effective strategy for meeting its obligations under the EU Air Quality Directives.

Further details of the EAC’s inquiry into air quality, including its Terms of Reference, Next Evidence Session and Written Evidence received can be found on its homepage. See:

http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environmental_audit_committee/inqairquality.cfm

2. Memoranda submitted to the EAC’s air quality inquiry are available at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmenvaud/memo/airquality/contents.htm

A transcript of the oral evidence session will be available (in due course) on the EAC’s Reports and Publications webpage.

3. National Audit Office report on air quality

As a prelude to that inquiry, the EAC asked the National Audit Office (NAO) to prepare an overview of the UK’s performance to date in meeting various targets and limits for each air pollutant. The NAO has published today its report on air quality. See:

http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/eac_briefing_-_air_quality.aspx   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 9 February 2010


Parliament’s powerful Environmental Audit Committee unearths evidence of over a decade of government failings or ‘cover-ups’ over air quality premature deaths

Martin Horwood, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham, obtains confirmation from expert that ‘Clean Air in London’s’ best estimate of 3,460 premature deaths (and up to 7,900) due to dangerous airborne particles in London in 2005 is correct

EAC establishes that government: should be referring to ‘premature deaths’ in line with international practice; and has been slow in updating air quality statistics

Communication campaign is needed urgently to boost public understanding of the dangers of poor air quality with advice on ‘mitigation’ and ‘adaptation’

The cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) congratulates Parliament’s powerful Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) on the rapid progress of its hard hitting and effective inquiry into whether the UK has an effective strategy to comply with its air quality obligations. It is clear today the UK does not have such a strategy.

Environmental Audit Committee second oral evidence session

The EAC held its second oral evidence session today as part of its air quality inquiry. Those interviewed included:

• Dr Ian S McRae, Senior Technical Manager; Energy, Emissions and Air Pollution Group, Transport Research Laboratory;

• Professor Frank Kelly and Dr Gary Fuller of the Environmental Research Group, King’s College London; and

• Graham Pendlebury, Director, Environment and International Directorate; Iain Forbes, Head of Air Quality Branch; and Chris Parkin, Head of Engineering Standards Branch, Department for Transport

The webcast of the second oral evidence session can be seen at:

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5844

Quotes:

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

“Parliament’s powerful Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has done its job today. The EAC has found, as the Campaign for Clean Air in London predicted it would, over a decade of government failings or ‘cover-ups’ over air quality premature deaths.

“In a nutshell there are two issues. First, why has the government not used – since 1998 – ‘premature deaths’ as a key metric when updating its assessments of the health impacts of air pollution (e.g. in 2001, 2006 and 2009)? Second, why has the government been so slow in updating its air quality statistics generally?

“It is becoming clear that the answer to both these questions is that the government knew it could not easily explain an estimate of 8,100 premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles becoming 35,000 or more. The EAC has unearthed this picture today and Martin Horwood, of the Liberal Democrats, deserves special recognition for his dogged pursuit of the facts.

“The government’s letter of last Monday saying ‘There has not been a cover-up...’ is published on the Campaign’s website.

“Despite the government’s protestations, CCAL calls again on the government to apologise for not warning the public, as it should have done, about the full extent of the health risks of poor air quality after its failure to update, or its ‘covering-up’ of, over 250,000 premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles over 10 years. This may be the one of the worst public health failings or ‘cover-ups’ in modern history.

“We need urgently a communication campaign to boost public understanding of the dangers of poor air quality. People should be advised about: ‘mitigation’, for example, to avoid – when they can – the most polluted streets when walking; and ‘adaptation’ such as choosing, where practicable, the least polluting means of travelling around.

“CCAL urges the EAC and others, such as the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, to support this call for a government apology.”   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 4 February 2010

Government says ‘there has not been a cover-up’ on air quality premature deaths

Government fails to: acknowledge importance of premature deaths as a key metric in communicating health impact of dangerous airborne particles to the public; or justify its slowness in updating crucial air quality statistics

‘Clean Air in London’ urges again Environmental Audit Committee to support call for government apology after failing to update, or covering-up of, over 250,000 premature deaths due to dangerous airborne articles over 10 years

‘Clean Air in London’ urges Mayor of London not to make the same mistakes

The government has written to the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), just days before the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) meets next Tuesday to take evidence as part of its inquiry into air quality, to say ‘there has not been a cover-up’ over air quality premature deaths. CCAL has published the government’s letter on its website with this Campaign Update.

The EAC has announced today it will take evidence from King’s College London and others.

Government makes its case for not updating premature death estimates since 1998

Simon Birkett, Founder of CCAL, said:

“We must welcome the government setting out, at last, its reasons for not updating estimates of premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles since 1998. Justification is needed since the government has known since 2001 the health effects of long-term exposure are ‘considerably greater’ than the effects of short-term exposure that were quantified in 1998.

“In CCAL’s view, two points are particularly indefensible. First, the government’s persistent refusal to acknowledge the importance of premature deaths (aka ‘attributable’ or ‘brought forward’ deaths) as a key metric in communicating the health impact of dangerous airborne particles to the public. Its stance contrasts sharply, for example, with that of the European Environment Agency, the European Commission, the United States’ Environment Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Second, the government’s slowness in updating crucial air quality statistics.

“The government’s complacency is indefensible when 3,460 and up to 7,900 people are estimated by CCAL to have died prematurely due to dangerous airborne particles in London in 2005 alone. They may have died 9.8 years early on average.

“CCAL therefore calls again on the government to apologise for not warning the public, as it should have done, about the full extent of the health risks of poor air quality after its failure to update, or its ‘covering-up’ of, over 250,000 premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles over 10 years. CCAL urges the EAC and others to support such a call.”

Further details of CCAL’s investigation are shown in the Appendix that follows.    more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 7 January 2010

‘Clean Air in London’ congratulates National Audit Office on its air quality report highlighting: government’s failure to comply with air pollution laws; health impact of poor air quality; Mayor’s delay of Phase 3 of LEZ; and confused delivery framework

Environmental Audit Committee takes oral evidence from Mayor of London’s Environment Adviser, Isabel Dedring, who “would tend to agree” “some of the government estimates are on the low side for the consequences of poor air quality”

Lord Berkeley articulates clearly air quality failings in London in House of Lords debate on Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012. Lord Berkeley refers to ‘Clean Air in London’ estimate of up to 7,900 premature deaths in London in 2005

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) welcomes the high-profile highlighting this week, in separate developments, of the government’s failure to tackle air pollution over the last 10 years and the serious health consequences arising.

CCAL calls on the government to apologise for not warning the public, as it should have done, about the full extent of the health risks of poor air quality after its failure to update, or its ‘covering-up’ of, over 250,000 premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles over 10 years.

NAO publishes its briefing on air quality for Environmental Audit Committee

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) announced on 21 October 2009 its new inquiry into Air Quality. The purpose of the inquiry is to assess whether the Government is developing an effective strategy for meeting its obligations under the EU Air Quality Directives.

As a prelude to that inquiry, the EAC asked the National Audit Office (NAO) to prepare an overview of the UK’s performance to date in meeting various targets and limits for each air pollutant. The NAO has published today its report on air quality. See:

http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/eac_briefing_-_air_quality.aspx

Further details of the EAC’s inquiry into air quality, including its Terms of Reference, Next Evidence Session and Written Evidence received can be found on its homepage. See:

http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environmental_audit_committee/inqairquality.cfm

Mayor of London’s Environment Adviser gives oral evidence to EAC

The Mayor of London’s top Environment Adviser, Isabel Dedring, and Simon Cousins, a GLA Environment Programme Officer, gave evidence at the EAC’s first oral evidence session on air quality on Tuesday 5 January 2010.

The Mayor of London had previously submitted written evidence to the EAC. See:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/_attachments/4404538/CCAL%20075%20Mayor%20of%20London%20submission%20to%20EAC%20111209.pdf

Other Memoranda submitted to the EAC’s air quality inquiry will be available at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmenvaud/memo/airquality/contents.htm

For the webcast of the meeting, please see (from 56 minutes to 1 hour 33 minutes):

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5439

A transcript of the oral evidence session will be available (in due course) on the EAC’s Reports and Publications webpage.

Lord Berkeley articulates clearly London air quality failings in 2012 Olympics debate

In a separate development on Tuesday 5 January, Lord Berkeley (Labour) spoke in a landmark debate in the House of Lords on the preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012.

For the full text of Lord Berkeley’s speech, see:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?gid=2010-01-05a.118.0

For Lord Berkeley’s speech in the context of the full, two hour, debate, please see:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2010-01-05a.103.2#g118.0

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London welcomes the high-profile highlighting this week, in separate developments, of the government’s failure to tackle air pollution over the last 10 years and the serious health consequences arising.”

National Audit Office report on air quality

“CCAL congratulates the National Audit Office (NAO) on its hard-hitting report on UK air quality which highlights the:

i. government’s failure to comply with air pollution laws and targets for dangerous airborne particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) under the air quality laws, the National Emissions Ceilings Directive and otherwise;

ii. source of the government’s ‘up to 24,000 [premature] deaths per year’ due to air pollution as being a report on the impact of short term exposure to air pollution (sulphur dioxide, PM10 or ozone) published by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP) in 1998 (see paragraph 1.11 on page 11) (Note 1);

iii. Mayor of London’s draft strategy setting back Phase 3 of the London low emission zone to 2012, a year after the extended deadline for compliance with the limit value [for PM10] (see paragraph 2.29 on page 23); and

iv. confused and ineffective delivery framework that exists currently to tackle air pollution (see Figure 8 on page 28 and Figure 11 on page 38).

“This is an excellent report which should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in judging the UK government’s track record of complying with its obligations to reduce air pollution. CCAL urges the EAC to make good use of the NAO’s hard-hitting evidence.”

Environmental Audit Committee takes oral evidence from Mayor’s Environment Adviser

“CCAL was impressed by the EAC’s first oral evidence session on air quality on 5 January including the frankness of answers given by the Mayor’s Environment Adviser. It was refreshing to hear:

i. an acknowledgement from the EAC of evidence it has received alleging that “some of the government estimates are on the low side for the consequences of poor air quality”. When asked for a view on such evidence, the Mayor’s Environment Adviser responded “we would tend to agree [with it]” (1 hour 28 minutes);

ii. a recognition that “a couple of hundred million pounds is needed ideally to tackle this problem [of poor air quality]” (1 hour 16 minutes); and

iii. EU legal action and the threat of unlimited fines are having the positive effect of energising people to take action, belatedly, to protect public health and comply with air quality laws (1 hour 17 minutes).

“CCAL has offered to give oral evidence to the EAC.”

Lord Berkeley’s speech in parliamentary debate on Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012

“Lord Berkeley is to be congratulated for articulating so clearly the urgent need to improve air quality in London in a high-profile debate in the House of Lords on the first day back after the Christmas recess. In particular, Lord Berkeley highlighted the:

i. breaching by “a very wide margin” of air quality standards in London” (Note 2) and “We have to remember [also] that the UK is the largest emitter of NOx in the whole of Europe and is set to breach the emissions ceiling by 2010”;

ii. massive health impact of poor air quality. “This may all seem a little scientific and detailed but it is worth reminding ourselves that the Campaign for Clean Air in London estimates that in 2005 up to 7,900 premature deaths were due to dangerous airborne particles [PM10] in London. On average, those people, who account for about one in eight of the total deaths in London, may have died 10 years early”;

iii. breaching of air quality laws for PM10 every year since 2005 and the prospect of further breaches for PM10 and NO2. “I have to ask my noble friend why the Government are being so patient with the mayor”;

iv. opportunity for the Olympic Delivery Authority to “save about 800,000 lorry journeys around Stratford between last year and the time of the Olympics”;

v. need for urgent action by the Mayor and the government. “Do we want them to be called the high-pollution Olympics? I hope not”; and

vi. question: “how [can] the government say that the preparations for the Olympics are going well and breaking new grounds of sustainability in a healthy and enjoyable environment?”

“CCAL supports strongly Lord Berkeley’s recommendation that the government should waste no further time and give the Mayor of London full legal responsibility for complying with air quality laws, at least for PM10, in London. Lord Berkeley is also right to highlight the: merits of the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme; need to ban [or clean up] pre-Euro 4 diesel vehicles by 2012; and other practical steps to improve air quality.”

CCAL calls for government apology over air quality failings or ‘cover-ups’

“With Parliament’s most heavyweight groups – the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, the National Audit Office and the House of Lords – all now engaged fully in the real issues around poor air quality in the UK, we must expect to see urgent and meaningful action at last.”

“Importantly, evidence from the NAO has confirmed, yet again, the government’s failure since 1998 to update, or its ‘covering-up’ of, the real number of premature deaths due to dangerous airborne particles – despite scientific research pointing to much higher numbers.

“CCAL calls on the government to apologise for not warning the public, as it should have done, about the full extent of the health risks of poor air quality. CCAL urges the EAC and others to support such a call.”

Notes:

1. Health impact of exposure to dangerous airborne particles

The number of 24,000 premature deaths, referred to by the government, includes 8,100 due to short term exposure to PM10 air pollution compared with CCAL’s estimate of some 35,000 due to long term exposure to PM2.5 (i.e. fine particulate matter which comprises around 70% of PM10). The government has published no new estimate of premature deaths (whether short-term, long term or total for either PM2.5 or PM10) since 1998. The government says the coarse fraction of dangerous airborne particles (i.e. PM2.5-10) contains no significant health risk.

For further details, please see the COMEAP report published in 1998 titled ‘Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom’:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@ab/documents/digitalasset/dh_108458.pdf

2. Quantification of the number of premature deaths due to poor air quality

The European Topic Centre on Air and Climate Change published a report in June 2009 titled ‘Assessment of the health impacts of exposure to PM2.5 at a European level’. See:

http://air-climate.eionet.europa.eu/docs/ETCACC_TP_2009_1_European_PM2.5_HIA.pdf

3. London Air Quality Network results for 2009

Marylebone Road

http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&bulletin=&site=MY1&postcode=&statyear=2009&mapview=all&objective=All

Brompton Road

http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&bulletin=&site=KC3&postcode=&statyear=2009&mapview=all&objective=All   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 1 January 2010

The most-read stories of 2009

A look back at the campaign letters and updates that proved the most popular of the year.

January

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a legal duty to ensure air quality limit values are attained and not exceeded once attained

February

Leading NGOs call for Government commitment to comply fully with Air Quality laws

March

Government maps show action is needed urgently if UK is to avoid breaching health based air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas, in London from 2010 to 2015 and beyond

April

Latest research suggests 2,900 premature deaths each year in London due to dangerous airborne particles (PM10): nearly three times earlier estimates

May

Air quality: Fairer and more ambitious CO2 charge needed

June

A warning to London 2012 Olympics as Defra issues ‘First “summer smog” of 2009 alert’ with research highlighting premature deaths during August 2003 smog ‘event’

July

Air quality: Fairer and more ambitious CO2 charge needed

August

‘Every Breath You Take’: an investigation into air quality by the London Assembly’s Environment Committee

September

Mayor Johnson urged to apply Precautionary Principle for Air Quality Strategy assuming 6,300 to 7,900 premature deaths in London in 2005 due to dangerous airborne particles (PM10)

October

Verdict on Mayor Johnson’s draft Air quality Strategy: It’s a start but not yet ‘fit for purpose’

November

Mayor Johnson has a statutory duty to ensure his Air Quality Strategy includes policies and proposals for the achievement of the air quality standards

December

‘Clean Air in London’ applauds European Commission’s decision to reject UK’s application to delay compliance with health based laws for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) in London   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 11 December 2009


European Commission rejects United Kingdom application to delay compliance with health based air quality laws for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) in London

“The Commission found the air quality plan for Greater London did not meet the minimum requirements of the Directive for a time extension”

‘Clean Air in London’ says today’s decision is a damning and long overdue indictment of the UK’s attitude to air pollution, complying with environmental deadlines and protecting public health

Announcement by European Commission

The European Commission announced on 11 December 2009 its decision to reject the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) application for a delay until 11 June 2011 to comply with air quality laws for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) in London. See:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1908&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “Air pollution has serious impacts on human health and compliance with the standards must be our utmost priority. The 2008 EU air quality Directive recognises the difficulties some Member States have experienced in meeting the standards for PM10 by the initial deadline of 2005 and allows the possibility of a limited time extension. However, the Commission expects Member States to clearly demonstrate that they are doing their utmost to comply with EU standards in the shortest possible time.”

The Commission's assessment shows that in all UK air quality zones except the Greater London zone exemptions will not be necessary since compliance with the limit values has already been achieved. The Commission found the air quality plan for Greater London did not meet the minimum requirements of the Directive for a time extension.

Enforcement action is already underway against the UK for continuing to exceed the PM10 limit values in London. This may now be escalated.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder and Principal Contact, of the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) applauds Commissioner Dimas for showing the determination needed to enforce rigorously Europe’s air pollution laws. Action now on air quality will trigger the technology, behavioural change and political will needed to solve wider air pollution and sustainability issues. It sends a strong positive message to all those involved in the Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen.

“The government and the Mayor are both to blame for bringing this action upon themselves: the former for letting air quality get steadily worse since the late 1990s; and the latter for taking nearly 18 months to produce a draft air quality strategy that is still not ‘fit for purpose’. The fact that London was the only European city singled out, for not even meeting the minimum requirements of the Directive for a time extension, is a damning and long overdue indictment of the UK’s attitude to air pollution, complying with environmental deadlines and protecting public health.

“With up to 8,000 people having died prematurely due to exposure to PM10 in London in 2005 (when the relevant laws came into effect) it is time the government and the Mayor woke up and took air quality seriously. Action to enforce health based air quality laws for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) is long overdue. These air quality laws were put in place in 1999 and had to be met by 2005.

“We need radical action, including one or more Berlin-style inner low emission zones, now: to reduce the number of premature deaths; and long before huge fines would be necessary. By failing to tackle this problem sooner the government and the Mayor have lost the chance to delay compliance until June 2011 and must ensure full compliance with health based standards for PM10 within the 2010 calendar year. The consequences of the Mayor's decisions to backtrack on key air quality and transport measures are coming home to roost.

“The UK looks set to breach by a much wider margin than for PM10 health based standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from 1 January 2010 when relevant laws come into effect. CCAL will be pressing the European Commission to take similar action on NO2 as soon as the hourly limit for a whole year is breached in mid-January 2010. Over 100 UK cities and towns breached in 2008 what will be the legal standard for NO2 from January 2010.

“Last but not least, CCAL wishes to thank its many supporters for their tireless campaigning to improve air quality in London. These include: leading Greens, Jean Lambert MEP and Darren Johnson (Leader of the London Assembly); leading Liberal Democrats, Edward Davey (Shadow Foreign Secretary), Simon Hughes (Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary), Sarah Ludford MEP and Mike Tuffrey (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in the London Assembly); leading Labour supporters such as Murad Qureshi (Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee), Nicky Gavron and Ken Livingstone (former Mayor of London); and Gareth Bacon (Conservative, London Assembly Environment spokesperson), Mark Field MP, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP and Charles Tannock MEP. John Bowis, now retired as a Conservative MEP, deserves a special mention for encouraging CCAL in 2007 to believe that the UK did not deserve a time extension to comply with air quality laws for PM10.

“Four leading NGOs (the Campaign for Better Transport, ClientEarth, Environmental Protection UK (formerly the National Society for Clean Air) and Friends of the Earth) joined CCAL in writing to Commissioner Dimas, immediately after the Mayor published his weak air quality strategy, urging him to take the action we have seen today.

“Success from here depends on the Prime Minister and Mayor Johnson both supporting the urgent implementation of meaningful additional measures to improve air quality in London. Political deadlock and/or a lack of action by them will result in ridicule for the UK every year up to and including 2012 (and thereafter) as legal action over poor air quality widens and escalates. Decisive action is long overdue.”

Notes:

1. Full list of the some 20 UK cities failing to comply with PM10 laws:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/pdf/pm10_exceedances_2007.pdf

2. Full list of countries submitting at least partial time extension notifications for PM10 (e.g. Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain):

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm

3. Full list of 100 plus UK cities that failed to meet in 2008 what will become legal limits for NO2 from January 2010:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E1&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=NO2&action=exceedence3&go=Go

4. The European Commission started infringement proceedings on 29 January 2009 against 10 Member States, including the United Kingdom, for failing to comply with the European Union’s (EU’s) air quality standard for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10. These particles, mainly emitted by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. The Commission’s action followed the entry into force in June 2008 of the new EU air quality directive, which allows Member States to request, under certain conditions and for specific parts of the country, limited extra time to meet the PM10 standard in force since 2005.

Full details of this legal action can be seen via the attached link:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/174&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

5. For details of the six stage infringement process including fines please see:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/infringements/infringements_228_en.htm

This typically involves sending a Member State (MS) a first and a final written warning (Letter of Formal Notice and Reasoned Opinion respectively) before the Commission takes the MS to the European Court of Justice for a decision requiring the MS to remedy the legal breach. If the MS still fails to comply, the Commission can issue again a first and a final written warning (Letter of Formal Notice and Reasoned Opinion respectively) before asking the European Court of Justice to impose unlimited lump sum and daily fines on the MS pending full compliance.   more »

PLEASE SEND COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING EMAIL OR WRITE A SIMILAR ONE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

STARTS

COMMENT ON UK’s APPLICATION TO DELAY COMPLIANCE WITH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

By email to: airinfo@ec.europa.eu

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to urge the European Commission to reject the United Kingdom’s application for a delay to comply with legal standards for dangerous airborne particles (so called PM10) in London. As you know, the level of these particles in London has risen by around 0.4 % per year since the late 1990s.

Mayor Johnson’s recently published draft Air Quality Strategy (AQS) is a start but not yet ‘fit for purpose’. It confirms that neither he nor the UK government has a credible plan to comply with air quality laws in London.

After identifying road transport as being responsible for 83% of PM10 emissions in central London, the Mayor’s draft AQS goes on to say he will tackle this huge problem by delaying or cancelling key transport measures (notably Phase 3 of the low emission zone and the western extension of the congestion charging zone) and omitting others (such as one or more additional inner low emission zones). Many proposals to improve air quality are unfunded and therefore little more than aspirational.

We need the European Commission please to trigger the decisive action needed in the UK to improve air quality in London. No reply to this email is needed or expected.

Yours faithfully

[YOUR NAME]

ENDS



Verdict on Mayor Johnson’s draft Air Quality Strategy: It’s a start but not yet ‘fit for purpose’

‘Many proposals’ in Mayor’s draft Air Quality Strategy are unfunded as he calls on government to fully back his plan with adequate policy and financial support

Mayor Johnson ‘torpedoes’ government’s time extension plans for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) by delaying Phase 3 of the London Low Emission Zone


Mayor Johnson announces his draft Air Quality Strategy

Mayor Johnson announced his draft Air Quality Strategy, ‘Clearing the Air’, on 5 October for consultation with the London Assembly and Greater London Authority (GLA) functional bodies. See media release (with a link to the 86 page document):

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=23879

The consultation period will run until 30 November. In early 2010 a second version of the strategy will be published for formal public consultation.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder and Principal Contact of the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

The challenge

“The Mayor’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of London's air quality problem and that it has not improved in recent years is welcome. In fact, the level of dangerous airborne particles (so called PM10) in London has increased at a mean rate of around 0.4% per year since the late 1990s (Note 1).

“The scale of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) challenge dwarfs that for PM10. Even the government’s own forecasts indicate 1,117 kilometres of roads in London will breach legal standards in 2010 with 520 kilometres still in breach in 2015 (the final date for compliance if a time extension is obtained for NO2) (Note 2). The Mayor estimates some 700,000 Londoners live in areas expected to breach legal standards for NO2 in 2010.

“To put London's air quality challenge in perspective, let's remember: legal action is already underway against the UK for breaching legal standards for PM10 (Note 3); London has the highest annual average concentrations of NO2, a toxic gas, of any capital city in western (or eastern) Europe (Note 4); and some 6,300 to 7,900 people may have died prematurely in London in 2005 due to exposure to PM10 alone (Note 5).”

“The human cost of failing to improve air quality is frightening.”

The proposals

“Some encouraging new measures are included in the Mayor's draft Air Quality Strategy (AQS). For example, plans to start cleaning up the bus and taxi fleets and launch a public information campaign.

“However, some thinking does not seem to stack up. For example, the draft AQS says road transport produced 83% of PM10 emissions in central London in 2006 (page 26). The draft AQS suggests that this huge problem can be dismissed as just ‘a few hotspots’ (page 40) and tackled (page 39) by:

• planting street vegetation;

• introducing unspecified, untested and unfunded ad hoc local traffic management measures;

• focusing an unspecified number of cleaner buses down the most polluted roads at some time in the future, where possible; and, meanwhile,

• delaying or cancelling the two biggest measures already in train i.e. Phase 3 of the London low emission zone (LEZ) and the western extension (Note 6) of the congestion charging zone (WEZ).

“CCAL is concerned also that the draft AQS seems to have focused mainly on emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and assumed (apparently) that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) will fall at the same rate as NOx. History suggests otherwise.”

Three key issues

“There are three key issues, at least, around the AQS:

• first, the Mayor's decision to delay Phase 3 of the London low emission zone from October 2010 to 2012. This decision will impact over 15% of those worst affected by poor air quality (Note 7);

• second, ‘many of the proposals’ included in the AQS are unfunded (see page 80 of the draft AQS) i.e. they are aspirational; and

• there is still no credible plan for London to comply with legal standards for PM10 by the June 2011 deadline since most measures (even if funded) would not be implemented until 2012. Ad hoc and minor measures and ‘pre-compliance’ (i.e. the early purchase of LEZ compliant vehicles for Phase 3, in contrast to the experience of earlier Phases) would be relied upon as London ‘seeks to meet’ these legal standards in 2011.

“The first of these is sure also to torpedo the government's application to the European Commission for a time extension until June 2011 to comply with legal standards for PM10 (since you cannot substitute uncertain measures for certain ones) (Note 8).

“It is also very disappointing that air quality laws, in place to protect public health, seem unlikely to be complied with in London in any year up to or including 2012 (or thereafter) Note 9. The AQS says emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) need to be over 80% lower in 2015 than current projections in order for the EU limit value to be met everywhere in London (page 25). It then goes on to show that the current (mainly unfunded) proposals would achieve reductions of only 34 to 40% by 2015 (page 78).”

“CCAL has therefore written to Commissioner Dimas urging him to reject the UK’s application for a time extension to comply with EU limit values for dangerous airborne particles. If the UK continues to fail to take effective action during the enforcement process, it would eventually face unlimited lump sum and daily fines Note 10.”

Next steps

“Boris has lobbed – though, for now - the ‘air quality’ ball into the government’s court. Not least, he says “The GLA’s modeling shows that even with strong action by the Mayor, London cannot clean up its air on its own” (page 16). Therefore:

• will the government finally disclose the contents of its discussions with the Mayor on air quality?;

• how will the government close the gaping hole between the (latest) plans for London and the legal standards to be met by specific deadlines?;

• will it offer the Mayor all the financial support he has called for and/or issue him with legal directions?;

• can it somehow salvage, within weeks, its time extension application for PM10?; and

• what will the government do to fix the shambles it has created nationally on NO2?

“The bottom line for the Mayor and the government is that this strategy needs to tackle a problem estimated to have resulted in 6,300 to 7,900 premature deaths in London in 2005 due to dangerous airborne particles alone – and it does not.”

“Air quality looks set, at last, to become a major election issue. It’s about time.”
   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 27 July 2009


‘Clean Air in London’ welcomes ClientEarth’s ‘CleanAir for London’ campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for the 2012 Olympics and urges all Londoners worried about poor air quality to sign up to ClientEarth’s free membership to demonstrate their support for decisive action

ClientEarth urges the Commission to reject the UK’s time extension notification for PM10 but encourages the Commission to press the UK for a credible air quality plan for London to reduce the likely need for legal action

Commission writes to ‘Clean Air in London’ saying that the air quality plan for London needs to include ‘multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level to ensure sustainable compliance with the limit values for PM10 and NO2 and that the ambition level must be maintained throughout the time extension period’

Summary

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) warmly welcomes two developments that are together likely to result in substantial and urgent improvements in London’s air quality.

First, environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, has launched today a campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for the 2012 Olympics. Second, the European Commission (Commission) has written to CCAL saying that the air quality plan for London must include ‘multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level to ensure sustainable compliance with limit values’.

The time has come for the government and Mayor Johnson to take urgent and adequate action to save lives and more generally protect the health of Londoners.

ClientEarth launches ‘CleanAir for London’ campaign

ClientEarth has launched today a campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for the 2012 Olympics. To support this campaign, ClientEarth has set up a website for CleanAir for London. See:

http://www.clientearth.org/health-and-environment/cleanair-2012

Londoners are encouraged to sign up to ClientEarth’s free membership to demonstrate their support for decisive action to improve air quality.

ClientEarth does not believe that the United Kingdom (UK) government is entitled to a time extension to comply with limit values for dangerous airborne particles (PM10). ClientEarth has written today to the Commission [letter to published shortly] explaining in detail why the UK does not meet the preconditions for the time extension that the government seeks and current plans to eliminate breaches of PM10 in London by June 2011 are not credible. ClientEarth is taking legal action to compel the government to comply with its air quality obligations immediately.

ClientEarth is encouraging the Commission, whether compliance must be immediate or delayed until June 2011 (if a time extension is granted), to press the UK to submit a credible air quality plan for London. It says that, although the UK is ineligible for a time extension, a credible plan would reduce the need for the Commission to pursue infringement proceedings against the UK and may eliminate the need for ClientEarth to take legal action in connection with the time extension.

ClientEarth’s objective is to forge positive changes to improve the lives of all Londoners. Further, it wants to see London become a model for successful environmental change in cities worldwide. If it is successful, the populations of London and the UK will benefit from a valuable legacy following the London 2012 Olympics.

James Thornton CEO of ClientEarth said “ClientEarth is grateful to Simon Birkett, founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, for personally supporting the launch of the CleanAir campaign. We are pleased to welcome him as a pro bono science and policy adviser on air quality.”

European Commission writes to CCAL saying that the air quality plan for London must include ‘multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level to ensure sustainable compliance with limit values’

Commissioner Dimas asked Philip Owen, Head of Unit, at the Commission’s Clean Air and Transport unit to reply to a letter from CCAL to the Commissioner dated 4 May 2009 which urged further infringement action against the UK over exceedances of the PM10 limit values. The full text of the Commission’s letter appears at the end of this Campaign Update.

Key points in the Commission’s letter to CCAL include:

• “The Commission is very concerned about the strong adverse health effects due to air pollution. This is why the Commission expects Member States to do their utmost, in the interest of their citizens, to comply with the EU air quality standards in the shortest possible time.”

• “The pursuit of the infringement proceedings will be considered on the basis of the decision on the exemption, taking into account also the latest information on PM10 concentration levels in the zones and agglomerations concerned.”

• “High PM10 and NO2 pollution levels in the London area together with the complex contribution of a number of sources indicate that multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level are required to ensure sustainable compliance with the limit values. In order to benefit from a time extension, the UK authorities will have to identify these abatement measures and demonstrate that the combined impact of the measures will ensure compliance by the extended deadline. The Commission expects that the ambition level thus demonstrated in the notification is maintained during the whole of the exemption period.”

The Commission has also highlighted a major new initiative, Project APHEKOM (www.aphekom), which has specific objectives related to the communication of information on air pollution and health.

Quotes

Commenting on these developments, Simon Birkett said:

“ClientEarth’s commitment to enforce air quality laws throughout London by the 2012 Olympics is much needed. It is astonishing, 10 years after the legislation entered into force and well over four years since the standards for dangerous airborne particles were due to be met that these legally binding obligations have not been complied with.

“ClientEarth’s letter to Commission Dimas makes it very clear that the UK is not entitled to a time extension to comply with the limit values for PM10. Wisely, ClientEarth encourages the Commission to press the UK, in any event, to submit a credible air quality plan for London and implement it immediately. Unless there is urgent and adequate action on the ground in London to reverse the mean rate of increase in dangerous airborne particles (PM10) of 0.4% per year since the late 1990s, it seems highly likely that ClientEarth will be able to use the UK’s ineligibility for a time extension to force immediate compliance with the limit values for PM10 to protect public health.

“The Commission’s recent letter to CCAL makes clear: it is (rightly) determined to enforce air quality laws to protect public health; it may reject the UK’s time extension notification for PM10 and escalate infringement action (e.g. if parts of London are found in September 2009 to have breached the annual limit value plus margin of tolerance for PM10 in 2008 (i.e. 48 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) or if pollution levels show again an adverse trend); and that an air quality plan for London needs to include multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level to ensure sustainable compliance with the limit values.

“Why do we still have to rely on the Commission to take the lead in protecting public health in London? The time has come for the government and Mayor Johnson to take urgent and adequate action to save lives and more generally protect the health of Londoners.”

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London urges all Londoners worried about poor air quality to sign up to ClientEarth’s free membership to demonstrate their support for decisive action on this issue. We must all hope that James Thornton (CEO of ClientEarth), with his ClientEarth team, can do for air quality in London what he did for clean water in the USA.”

ENDS

ON EUROPEAN COMMISSION LETTERHEAD TO ‘CLEAN AIR IN LONDON’

European Commission
Directorate-General
Environment
Directorate C – Climate Change & Air
Unit C.3 Clean Air and Transport
Brussels

Mr Simon Birkett
Campaign for Clean Air in London
8 July 2009

Dear Mr Birkett

Subject: Letter to Commissioner Dimas urging further infringement action against the UK on PM10

Thank you for your letter of 4 May 2009 concerning the Commission’s infringement action against the UK over exceedances of the PM10 limit values. Commissioner Dimas has asked me to reply on his behalf.

As indicated in our previous correspondence as well as in the Commission’s public statements also quoted in your letter, the Commission is very concerned about the strong adverse health effects due to air pollution. This is why the Commission expects Member States to do their utmost, in the interest of their citizens, to comply with the EU air quality standards in the shortest possible time.

The Commission issued the UK with a first warning letter for exceeding PM10 limit values at several places across the UK, most notably in London. In response to the warning, the UK authorities on 5 May 2009 notified the application for an exemption from the limit values for PM10 pursuant to Article 22 of Directive 2008/50/EC for eight air quality zones, including the zone for Greater London. The Commission is now assessing the notification and a request for further information has recently been sent to the UK authorities. It is expected that the assessment of the notification will be concluded within nine months of the initial notification.

The pursuit of the infringement proceedings will be considered on the basis of the decision on the exemption, taking into account also the latest information on PM10 concentration levels in the zones and agglomerations concerned.

High PM10 and NO2 pollution levels in the London area together with the complex contribution of a number of sources indicate that multiple abatement measures with a high ambition level are required to ensure sustainable compliance with the limit values. In order to benefit from a time extension, the UK authorities will have to identify these abatement measures and demonstrate that the combined impact of the measures will ensure compliance by the extended deadline. The Commission expects that the ambition level thus demonstrated in the notification is maintained during the whole of the exemption period.

As regards the quantification of the health impact of poor air quality in London raised in your letter, you are invited to consult the methodology employed in the Impact Assessment of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and the referred studies, all available on the Commission air quality website. Choosing the appropriate metric is linked to the specific communication objective and may differ from situation to situation. Project APHEKOM (www.aphekom.org), co-funded by the European Commission’s Programme on Community Action in the Field of Public Health, has also recently been launched with specific objectives related to the communication of information on air pollution and health.

Yours sincerely
Philip Owen
Head of Unit

Notes:

1. ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 02863827, registered charity number 1053988. Further details about ClientEarth can be found at www.clientearth.org.

See also ClientEarth’s website for the ‘CleanAir for London’ at:

http://www.clientearth.org/health-and-environment/cleanair-2012

Membership is free and people can tick a box, when they register, to indicate their support for ClientEarth’s CleanAir for London campaign.

2. ClientEarth media release

On 27 July 2009, ClientEarth announced the launch of its campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for the 2012 Olympics. See link:

http://www.clientearth.org/images/stories/CE_pdfs/unembargoed-press-release-cleanair-for-London.pdf

3. ClientEarth letter to Commissioner Dimas

On 27 July 2009, ClientEarth sent a letter to the Environment Commissioner, Commission Dimas, urging the Commission to reject the UK’s request for a time extension to comply with the limit values for dangerous airborne particles (PM10). See:

http://www.clientearth.org/news-a-announcements/clientearth-acts-on-london-air-pollution-letter

Attached to that letter are copies of the 38 submissions to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on its consultation on the draft PM10 notification.

4. CCAL letter to Commissioner Dimas urging further infringement action against the UK on PM10

Campaign for Clean Air in London letter to Commissioner Dimas sent on 4 May 2009:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2009/5/5/4174874.html

   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 1 June 2009


A warning for the London 2012 Olympics as Defra issues ‘First “summer smog” of 2009 alert’ with research highlighting premature deaths during August 2003 smog ‘event’

Air Pollution Bandings and Index need to align to current World Health Organisation recommendations and European Union air quality obligations

‘Clean Air in London’ calls on the Department of Health to update its ‘10 year old’ system of smog alerts to ensure they are more understandable


Defra press release web link

First “summer smog” of 2009 warning:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100401103043/http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090601a.htm

Quotes:

Simon Birkett of the Campaign for Clean Air in London said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London is pleased that the government is continuing its earlier practise of issuing summer smog alerts when air quality is poor.

“CCAL wrote to Lord Hunt earlier this year after no alert was issued during a worse still summer smog which occurred during the G20 meetings in London in April.

“In that letter CCAL urged the government to continue issuing smog alerts when necessary and to update its alert bandings. The current Air Pollution Bandings and Index (API) system was developed by the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) in 1998 and reviewed in 1999/2000. In CCAL’s view, the API is hopelessly out-of-date since air pollution can remain in the Low band all year but still breach legal standards for dangerous airborne particles (in force since January 2005) and nitrogen dioxide (in force from January 2010). This is a very confusing message for the public.

“Clean Air in London welcomes the government’s openness in today’s announcement which attaches a research report showing that during London’s summer smog episode in August 2003 there were a total of between 46 and 212 premature deaths from ozone and 85 from dangerous airborne particles. See:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/reports/cat09/0401130931_heatwave2003.pdf

“London’s summer smog episode in July 2006 was likely to have resulted in a similar or greater number of premature deaths from ozone and a slightly lower number for dangerous airborne particles.*

“Defra’s announcement is a timely reminder of the importance of complying fully with European Union air quality laws and of the amount that needs to be done quickly to improve air quality by the time of the London 2012 Olympics.”

* These figures should be updated to take account of the latest medical advice from the European Environment Agency.

ENDS

Notes:

1. World Health Organisation recommendations

Air quality and health

Background and guideline values (Fact sheet update August 2008)

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/index.html

2. Obligations under European Union air quality laws

Air Quality Standards (30 April 2008)

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm

3. UK Air Quality Archive

Air Quality Standards and Objectives (based on EU Limit Values and World Health Organisation recommendations)

http://www.airquality.co.uk/standards.php#std

Air Pollution Bandings and Index and the Impact on the health of people who are sensitive to Air Pollution

http://www.airquality.co.uk/standards.php#band

4. Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)

COMEAP comments on the DETR Air Pollution Information Service – Numerical index and EC alert thresholds (August 2000):

http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/statementsreports/apinfservice.htm

COMEAP statement on banding of air quality (January 1998):

http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/statementsreports/airpol9.htm   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 20 May 2009


Liberal Democrats want the UK to fully comply with air quality laws in time for the 2012 Olympics

Over 4,400 people estimated to die prematurely in London each year due to air pollution

Environmental Protection UK and ‘Clean Air in London’ welcome the policy commitment made by the Liberal Democrats and call on the other political parties to make the same unambiguous commitment


Hughes: 24,000 Brits die prematurely each year due to air pollution

Liberal Democrat press release web link:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/media_centre/hughes-24000-brits-die-prematurely-each-year-due-to-air-pollution-264111591;show

Text of Liberal Democrat press release:

At least 24,000 people in Britain are dying prematurely due to air pollution every year, research by the Liberal Democrats based on official EU reports has revealed.

Analysis of an EU case study, released today by the Liberal Democrats, shows that at least 4,400 Londoners are dying prematurely each year from air pollution – four times greater than previously admitted by the Mayor of London.

With the UK expected to be in breach of European air quality targets for years to come, tens of thousands will die prematurely each year or have their health seriously affected.

Liberal Democrats want the UK to fully comply with air quality laws in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes said:

“Air pollution is a silent killer. Every year, thousands of people across Britain are having their lives cut short because our Government is dragging its heels on cleaning up the air we breathe.”

“Meeting European targets on air pollution is not optional – it’s a matter of life or death.”

“It is high time Britain cleaned up its act.”

The Liberal Democrats have published today a 14 page Policy Briefing note: “Air pollution” which is attached below.

ENDS

Other quotes:

Campaign for Clean Air in London quote:

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“The Liberal Democrats are to be commended for their policy commitment to ensure the United Kingdom complies fully with air quality laws for dangerous airborne particles and nitrogen dioxide by the time of the 2012 Olympics.

“After 10 years of unchanged or worsening air pollution, new thinking and bold action are needed urgently to tackle a problem that kills thousands of people up to 10 years early each year in London. Such action will create green jobs, reduce health costs and give confidence that the UK’s ambitious climate change and sustainability targets will be met.

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London calls on the other political parties to make the same unambiguous commitment and back it with meaningful action.”

Environmental Protection UK press release web link:

http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/news/detail/?id=2114

Environmental Protection UK quote:

“In 2012 the lungs of the world’s top athletes will be breathing the UK’s air, and it is absolutely imperative that we meet our air quality standards by this date as a very minimum”, said Philip Mulligan, Chief Executive of Environmental Protection UK. “We now call on the other political parties to make a similar unambiguous commitment to ensure that the health benefits of clean air are captured across the UK as a tangible health benefit for all.”   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 1 May 2009

‘Every Breath You Take’: an investigation into air quality by the London Assembly’s Environment Committee

‘Clean Air in London’ congratulates the London Assembly’s Environment Committee for succeeding where Mayor Johnson and the government have failed so far by: unearthing the real health cost of poor air quality; and producing a convincing plan to improve quickly air quality in London

The London Assembly’s Environment Committee (LAEC) has published today a report on its investigation into air quality in London titled ‘Every Breath You Take’. The LAEC’s media release and report (attached) can be seen at:

Media release: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release_a.jsp?releaseid=21899

Report: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/environment.jsp

Quotes:

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

‘The London Assembly’s cross-party Environment Committee has succeeded (in weeks) where Mayor Johnson and the government have failed so far (over one year and 10 years respectively) by: unearthing the real health cost of poor air quality; and producing a convincing plan to improve quickly air quality in London.

‘The Campaign for Clean Air in London supports fully the report published today including all its recommendations.

‘CCAL wishes to thank particularly: Darren Johnson (Green), Chair of the London Assembly’s Environment Committee; Murad Qureshi (Labour), Deputy Chair; Gareth Bacon (Conservative); and Mike Tuffrey (Liberal Democrat) who have worked so hard and effectively throughout this investigation. As the ‘party leads’ on this investigation, they have each risen above party-politics to champion the true interests of Londoners. CCAL congratulates them all and thanks most warmly also the other members of the LAEC: James Cleverly (Conservative); Roger Evans (Conservative); and Nicky Gavron (Labour). Elizabeth Williams, Scrutiny Manager, and her colleagues in the Greater London Authority are to be commended also for their valuable contribution.

‘CCAL calls on Mayor Johnson to accept immediately the report including all its recommendations and the government, after some 10 years of static or worsening air pollution in London, to fund fully the main measures proposed. With thousands of lives seemingly lost prematurely every year in London, action must begin now not wait for 12 months to 18 months while the Mayor and the government dilly-dally over their air quality strategies and plans.

‘To encourage such action, CCAL will be writing to the European Commission shortly urging it to escalate its legal action against the United Kingdom by issuing a final written warning for breaching standards designed to protect the public from dangerous airborne particles. Put in legislation in 1999, these laws have been broken every year since they entered into force in 2005.’

Contact:

Campaign for Clean Air in London

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact, can be contacted through the Campaign website or the email or mobile phone number provided separately.

Notes:

1. The main recommendations from the LAEC are:

i. Introduce additional, smaller low emission zones to target pollution hotspots from road transport.
ii. Introduce a vehicle retrofit subsidy scheme in London with funding support from central government.
iii. Undertake research into using biofuel for all public transport in London including buses, trains, taxis and river transport.
iv. Launch a widespread information campaign to make air quality information more accessible to Londoners.
v. The reduction of emissions in the older public diesel vehicle fleet is vital.
vi. Planning guidance can be used through existing legislation if there are air quality implications for planning decisions.

2. The LAEC’s media release and report (attached), ‘Every Breath You Take’, can be seen at:

Media release: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release_a.jsp?releaseid=21899

Report: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/environment.jsp

3. The Campaign for Clean Air in London submitted 65 detailed recommendations to the London Assembly Environment Committee for it (and others) to consider as part of its investigation. These are attached to this Campaign Update.

4. The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) wrote to Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health, in a letter dated 19 April pointing out that the latest research by the European Environment Agency suggests some 2,900 people aged 30 or over may die prematurely per annum from dangerous airborne particles (PM10) in Greater London alone: nearly three times earlier estimates. The letter pointed out also that related research suggests the amount of time lost, per statistical victim, may be 9.8 years equating to an average change in life expectancy of approximately 0.6 years (i.e. 7.2 months) in the total population. CCAL’s letter can be seen at:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2009/4/19/4157876.html#attachments

   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 1 March 2009

Government maps show action is needed urgently if the United Kingdom is to avoid breaching health based air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas, in London from 2010 to 2015 and beyond

United Kingdom tops the league for toxic traffic fumes in Europe with: the highest proportion of zones breaching the annual average limit value plus margin of tolerance for NO2; and the most polluted capital city

Government maps obtained by the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), under the Freedom of Information Act, show that the government expects currently the United Kingdom (UK) to breach health based air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas, in London in 2010. These breaches are expected to continue each year thereafter up to, including and beyond 2015. These maps are attached to this Campaign update.

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact of CCAL, said:

“The United Kingdom (UK) is already on the receiving end of legal action from the European Commission (the Commission) for breaching legal standards for dangerous airborne particles (PM10) and missing the deadline to apply for a time extension to comply with them. This legal action must be broadened and escalated rapidly unless the UK comes up with a convincing plan to justify a time extension. ‘No time extension’ will be better than ‘a time extension with a weak plan’ because the former would, at least, leave the UK wide open to legal action to force the government to produce finally a credible plan to protect public health.

“The UK’s failure to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas and an indicator of even worse pollutants, dwarfs its failures with dangerous airborne particles. For example, London has the worst annual average level of NO2 of any capital city in western – or eastern – Europe. In Brompton Road and Marylebone Road, current levels of NO2 exceed 95 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) (i.e. over twice the World Health Organisation backed legal standard of 40 ug/m3 from January 2010). Over 100 UK cities breached in 2008 the level that will become the legal standard in 10 months time.

“It is astonishing that the government intends to spend the next 18 months to two years debating plans and programmes to include in a time extension application for NO2 – when it admits it already expects the UK to fail to meet at least one of the three requirements for such a time extension in London from January 2010 (i.e. Article 22(3) of the Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe).

“Why is the government not working out now how the UK will become compliant with air quality laws for NO2 as quickly as possible after 1 January 2010? Legal compliance will require three things: the UK proving it has genuinely tried to achieve compliance by January 2010; a convincing plan to comply fully with limit values for NO2 by January 2015; and determined action to ensure average annual levels of NO2 stay below 60 ug/m3 (i.e. the limit value plus margin of tolerance) from January 2010. None of these is currently likely. In stark contrast, Germany, for example, is working hard to have inner low emission zones in place in some 40 cities by the end of 2009 to help it comply with the same health standards.

London needs: the Prime Minister to back a ‘green deal’ of major new measures; and the Mayor of London to promise to deliver upon it in a timely manner. London needs urgently one or more additional inner low emission zones and other measures, including incentives, to tackle harmful emissions at their source. Premature death and irreversible climate change are even worse fates than economic depression. Why can’t our political leaders wake up and tackle two problems at the same time?”

   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 29 January 2009

European Commission starts legal action against the United Kingdom to enforce health based air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10)

Campaign for Clean Air in London congratulates Commissioner Dimas and thanks key supporters

The European Commission started infringement proceedings on 29 January 2009 against 10 Member States, including the United Kingdom, for failing to comply with the European Union’s (EU’s) air quality standard for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10. These particles, mainly emitted by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. The Commission’s action follows the entry into force in June 2008 of the new EU air quality directive, which allows Member States to request, under certain conditions and for specific parts of the country, limited extra time to meet the PM10 standard in force since 2005.

Full details of this legal action can be seen via the attached link:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/174&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

"Legal action to enforce health based air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) is long overdue. These laws were put in place in 1999 and had to be met by 2005. Amazingly, the government has no plans yet to meet these standards fully in London by 2011 and it admits it is depending on the Mayor of London to maintain measures like the western extension of the congestion charging scheme.

"Commissioner Dimas is to be congratulated for showing the determination needed to enforce air pollution laws. Action now on air quality will trigger the technology, behavioural change and political will needed to solve wider air pollution and sustainability issues. It will send a strong message to those preparing for Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen later this year.

"CCAL wishes to thank particularly John Bowis, Jean Lambert, Baroness Ludford and Claude Moraes for their extraordinary efforts in the European Parliament over several years overseeing new air quality legislation and for ensuring that it was backed quickly by tough enforcement action. Others who have championed better air quality in London include: Gareth Bacon, Baroness Gardner and Mark Field (Conservative); Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones (Green); Len Duvall, Nicky Gavron and Murad Qureshi (Labour); and Ed Davey and Mike Tuffrey (Liberal Democrat). Mayor Livingstone and Mayor Johnson’s letters in support of CCAL have also meant much. Environmental Protection UK’s work encouraging support from other NGOs has also been most valuable. Paradoxically, despite seeing infringement action for government failings, David Miliband, Hilary Benn, Dr Martin Williams and their team at Defra have done much over the last 18 months to change thinking within government on air quality.

"We should not forget though that this legal action is being started just two days after the UK launched two weak air quality consultations. First by Defra, on how it might respond, in due course, to the European Commission's deadline of 31 October 2008 to submit a notification on plans and programmes to comply with PM10 laws in London (which notes that it has no answers for six kilometres of roads). Second, a Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on air quality measures that admits, in its covering letter to consultees, that it has missed other legal deadlines on air quality. It is clear that the DfT (which is jointly responsible with Defra for the UK complying with air quality laws) has badly let down Defra and public health generally. Worse still, the first consultation is not needed legally. And the second highlights the scale of the problem e.g. the transport sector in 2001 was responsible for 39% of total UK emissions of PM2.5 and 54% of total UK emissions of PM0.1 (the finest and most deadly form of particulate matter); road transport is responsible for up to 80% of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 40% of all particulate matter in large urban areas; and some 80% of current replacement catalysts do not meet the emissions standard required on type approved replacements.

"Of the 10 countries subject today to legal action on PM10, only the UK, Cyprus, Estonia, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden have made no effort to submit a time extension request. The government's focus on cost-benefit analysis instead of cost-effective compliance with air pollution deadlines has finally come 'home to roost'.

"Hopefully, this legal action will shame the UK into tackling not just breaches of PM10 laws but also breaches of NO2 laws which are expected to affect over 100 cities and towns across the UK in 2010.

"Success from here depends on the Prime Minister and Mayor Johnson both supporting the urgent implementation of meaningful additional measures to improve air quality in London. Political deadlock and/or a lack of action by them will result in ridicule for the UK in the years up to London 2012 as legal action over poor air quality widens and escalates."

ENDS

Notes:

1. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Consultation on UK application to the European Commission for an extension to meet air quality limits for particulate matter (PM10).

Press release on consultation:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090127a.htm

Full consultation documents (which closes on 10 March 2009):

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/air-quality/index.htm

Air quality indicator for sustainable development 2008 provisional results (29 January 2009):

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090129a.htm

2. Department for Transport Consultation on Replacement Pollution Control Devices for Motor Vehicles (which closes on 25 March 2009):

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/devices/

3. Full list of the some 20 UK cities failing to comply with PM10 laws:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/pdf/pm10_exceedances_2005_07.pdf

4. Full list of countries submitting at least partial time extension notifications for PM10 (e.g. Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain):

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm

5. Full list of 100 plus UK cities that failed to meet in 2008 what will become legal limits for NO2 from January 2010:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E1&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=NO2&action=exceedence3&go=Go

   more »

Note: The following letter was sent by The Knightsbridge Association not the Campaign for Clean Air in London: 3 January 2009

The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP
Secretary of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

3 January 2009

By registered post and email: hilary.benn@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Secretary of State

Near record air pollution in central London in 2008

Secretary of State for Defra has a legal duty to ensure health based limit values are attained and not exceeded once attained

The Knightsbridge Association asserts its right to require the government to develop an action plan to improve NO2 and PM10 air quality in the short term

The Knightsbridge Association presses the Secretary of State to direct Mayor Johnson not to remove or weaken the western extension of the Congestion Charging Zone unless a stronger inner Low Emission Zone is put in place simultaneously upon its removal

Summary

I am writing on behalf of The Knightsbridge Association (the KA) to urge you, as the relevant Secretary of State, to ensure that the United Kingdom (UK) complies in full with air quality laws in the wider Knightsbridge area of London (and elsewhere throughout the UK).

The KA is an amenity society registered with the Civic Trust. It represents around 1,000 residents and businesses in the wider Knightsbridge area bounded broadly by Hyde Park Corner in the east and Queen’s Gate in the west. Brompton Road, Cromwell Road and Knightsbridge pass through this area. Our website address is:

www.knightsbridgeassociation.org.uk.

For a map of the local area, please see:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=brompton+road&countryCode=GB#map=51.49919,-0.16453|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:51.49919:-0.16453:17|brompton%20road|Brompton%20Road%20(A4),%20London,%20England,%20SW7

The KA is concerned about serious breaches of air quality laws in this part of London (and elsewhere). Local air pollution levels in 2008 were close to record levels. Annual mean levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were well over twice the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and peak levels occurred some 427 times compared to the WHO’s maximum recommended frequency of 18 times. The KA estimates that annual average levels of particulate matter (PM10) in this area exceeded 40 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) and may have approached 50 ug/m3. The WHO has stated that there is no safe level for exposure to particulate matter. This situation is clearly unsustainable and unacceptable.

European Union (EU) air quality laws required annual average levels of PM10 air quality to attain 40 ug/m3 from 1 January 2005 and for that level not to be exceeded once attained. These laws were transposed into UK law in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007 (AQSR 2007). These Regulations impose inter alia a statutory duty on you, as the relevant Secretary of State, to develop action plans to improve air quality in the short term. This duty was reaffirmed and clarified recently in a preliminary Judgement by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The KA is hereby notifying you that it respectfully requests and requires in respect of the wider Knightsbridge area that you as Secretary of State: (i) prepare and implement urgently an action plan that is capable of reducing to a minimum the risk that the limit values for NO2 and PM10 will be exceeded and of ensuring a gradual return to a level below those limit values; and (ii) at least maintain air quality (where limit values have already been met), and otherwise comply in full with relevant air quality laws. Please note that the requirement that limit values must not be exceeded once attained is an absolute legal requirement.

The KA is concerned further that decisions may be taken by the Mayor of London and/or others during 2009 or subsequently which would adversely and illegally impact air quality in this area e.g. the possible removal or weakening of the western extension of the Congestion Charging Zone (the WEZ). In the KA’s carefully considered view, such a decision would inter alia worsen air quality where it has attained limit values for PM10 and thereby breach air quality laws unless at least directly offsetting measures were put in place simultaneously upon its removal. These measures might include dynamic road pricing (such as ‘tag and beacon’) and/or one or more inner Low Emission Zones (which will be needed anyway to ensure that air quality laws are complied with cost effectively). Please therefore issue ‘directions’ as necessary to the Mayor of London and/or others to ensure that relevant air quality laws are complied with fully.

The KA hopes, if you respond positively and energetically to this letter in respect of the wider Knightsbridge area and/or London as a whole, that its actions may set a valuable precedent and encourage other community groups in London (and elsewhere) to seek improvements in local air quality and reductions in air pollution generally.   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 16 January 2009

The most-read stories of 2008

A look back at the campaign letters and updates that proved the most popular of the year.

March

Campaign supporters (Note: An updated list of supporters is expected to be published shortly which will include Mayor Johnson and others)

April

Conditional support for new EU air quality law

May

'Clean Air in London' hails Lord Coe's air quality vision for London 2012

June

New European Union Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force on 11 June 2008

July

New air quality laws require one-third less air pollution in London within 18 months

August

'Clean Air in London' hails Lord Coe's air quality vision for London 2012

September

Government must submit to the European Commission by 31 October 2008 plans to eliminate breaches of air quality laws for particulate matter along 40 kilometres of London roads across 13 boroughs by 2011 or face legal action

October

Leading NGOs call for Government commitment to comply fully with air quality laws

November

Leading NGOs call for Government commitment to comply fully with air quality laws

December

Campaign for Clean Air in London urges the European Commission to launch legal action against the UK now for breaching EU air quality limit values for particulate matter (PM10)

   more »

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 31 August 2008

Government maps show that 40 kilometres of roads across 13 London boroughs are still due to breach air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) in 2011 and beyond

Government must submit to the European Commission by 31 October 2008 plans to eliminate all breaches of air quality laws for PM10 by 2011 (or earlier) or the European Commission says it will launch legal action against the UK to enforce air quality laws

Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Air Quality, wrote to Mayor Johnson offering help as the government looks set to struggle to justify a time extension for PM10 and must take urgent action also to comply with air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide by January 2010

Mayor Boris Johnson replies personally to ‘Clean Air in London’ saying he is “passionately committed to improving air quality in London” and
“committed to taking bold action to try to meet the requirements” of air quality laws

Summary

Commenting on the latest developments on air quality in London, Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“Air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) were breached in London in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Maps obtained by the Campaign for Clean Air in London reveal that the government still expects these laws to be breached in London in 2011 and beyond. In addition, air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) require at least a one-third reduction in that form of air pollution near London’s busiest roads by January 2010.

“The UK will be subject to legal action for breaching air quality laws for PM10 unless it notifies the European Commission (the Commission) by 31 October 2008 of a request for a time extension and provides plans to eliminate all UK breaches of air quality laws for PM10 by 2011 (or earlier). In CCAL’s view, the UK will struggle to justify such a time extension. This may explain why the government currently plans to miss this new deadline by eight months or more – amazingly, given that the over-riding obligations have been in legislation since 1999.

“The government needs to agree radical new plans with Mayor Johnson within weeks that will reduce sharply air pollution in London if the UK is to stand any chance of avoiding legal action for breaching air quality laws based on World Health Organisation recommendations. Realistically, a two-month public consultation needs to be launched by Mayor Johnson by 31 October 2008 with detailed plans to meet fully obligations for PM10 and NO2, if businesses and the general public are to be given sufficient notice of the major changes required of them by January 2010 (e.g. in road transport).

“The air quality plans will almost certainly need to include one or more additional, inner, Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in London with standards for the abatement of hazardous emissions from the most polluting vehicles of all sorts. These inner LEZs will need to set tighter standards, for both particulate matter and emissions of oxides of nitrogen than the existing London-wide LEZ. Dozens of cities across Europe are already planning such LEZs to comply with the same air quality laws.

“After nearly 10 years, the government has finally run out of excuses. Ironically, with just 61 days to go before the Commission launches legal action against the UK for breaching air quality laws for PM10, the Labour government is dependent now on a Conservative Mayor of London to save the UK from the harsh reality of unlimited fines.

“If the government misses the Commission’s deadline of 31 October 2008 for submitting a time extension notification for PM10 (or complies in part only with it), CCAL will be urging the Commission to launch immediately thereafter legal action against the UK for breaching air quality laws as it has promised to do. With no safe level of exposure to particulate matter, these minimum legal obligations must be complied with in full. If the government meets this deadline, CCAL will be urging the Commission to review thoroughly the UK’s plans for compliance.”

The maps and letters referred to in this Campaign Update are attached to it.

Government maps show that 40 kilometres of roads across 13 London boroughs are still due to breach air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) in 2011 and beyond

The UK was required by 1999 legislation to reduce the public’s exposure to particulate matter (PM10) air pollution. Air quality laws required two ‘Limit Values’ to be met by 1 January 2005: an annual average exposure not to exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) and a daily mean exposure not to exceed 50 ug/m3 on more than 35 days per annum. The UK breached both Limit Values in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007 and has no plans yet to comply with the daily mean Limit Value across London.

The new European Union (EU) Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (the new AQ Directive), which entered into force on 11 June 2008, gives the UK and other Member States the opportunity, subject to strict conditions, to seek a time extension to comply with air quality laws for PM10 until 2011 with dispensation from breaching these air quality laws in 2005, 2006 and 2007. One of these strict conditions is that the government must show how it will eliminate all breaches in the UK of air quality laws for PM10 by 2011.

CCAL therefore asked the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to release detailed maps showing the remaining locations in the UK where air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) will still be breached in 2011 and beyond i.e. the places where the government is unable currently even to meet a key condition for a time extension. Defra provided those maps which are attached to this Campaign Update.

The government maps show that the only remaining breaches in the UK of air quality laws for PM10 by 2011 are forecast to be the daily mean Limit Value along about 40 kilometres of roads across some 13 boroughs in London. The government expects to have eliminated from the UK all other breaches of air quality laws for PM10 before 2011.

The government maps show in red the sections of the roads in London that are expected to exceed an annual average concentration for PM10 of 31.5 ug/m3 in 2011. This is the government’s best estimate of the places where PM10 exposures will exceed 50 ug/m3 on more than 35 days in 2011. The government adopts this widely accepted mechanism since it would be difficult to forecast now which days in 2011 might exceed a mean of 50 ug/m3.

Maps showing where the daily mean Limit Value for PM10 are due to be breached in 2011 and beyond in London are attached and can be seen at:

Summary map of London (file size of 171 KB):

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/IntroductiontoAirQualityinLondon/_archives/2008/8/31/3862405.html

Summary maps of London plus maps of 13 London boroughs (note large file size of 2.1 MB):

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/IntroductiontoAirQualityinLondon/_archives/2008/8/31/3862404.html

The government has no plans yet to comply with air quality laws for PM10 near these roads.

Government must submit to the European Commission by 31 October 2008 plans to eliminate all breaches of air quality laws for PM10 by 2011 (or earlier)

As mentioned earlier, the new AQ Directive gives the UK the opportunity, subject to strict conditions, to seek a time extension to comply with air quality laws for PM10 until 2011 (or earlier) with dispensation from breaching these air quality laws in 2005, 2006 and 2007. One of these strict conditions is that the government must show how it will eliminate across the UK all breaches of PM10 air quality laws by 2011 (or earlier).

CCAL’s understanding of the legal situation is as follows:

1. the UK is currently in breach of air quality laws for particulate matter (PM10) in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. It will remain in breach of these laws for each of those years unless it obtains a time extension from the European Commission (the Commission);

2. the new AQ Directive allows the UK and other Member States, technically, to submit any time extension notification request to the Commission at any time. However, it would be unreasonable to allow the UK more than four months to do so for PM10 since: these laws have been required to be met by 1999 legislation since January 2005; the UK government has known details of the time extension mechanism since they were agreed in a compromise between the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Commission and approved by the European Parliament on 11 December 2007; and the government consulted as recently as Autumn 2007 on its plans then to comply with those same obligations (so they need only to be updated). The Commission’s guidance on time extensions can be found via the following link (see particularly the Staff Working Paper and other attachments);

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm

3. the Commission announced on 8 July 2008 (see link below) that legal action would follow, presumably on existing breaches of air quality laws for PM10, if the UK and other Member States do not submit their formal time extension notification requests for PM10 by 31 October 2008 i.e. they were given nearly four months final warning;

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1112&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Member States have been asked also to submit to the Commission by 30 September 2008 information on the steps they are taking to achieve compliance with air quality laws for PM10;

4. to obtain a time extension to meet the PM10 Limit Values until 2011 (or earlier) the onus is on the UK to satisfy fully the Commission that:

i. conformity with the Limit Values for PM10 could not be achieved by 1 January 2005 because of site specific-characteristics, adverse climatic conditions or transboundary contributions; and
ii. all applicable measures were taken at national, regional and local level to meet the deadlines; and
iii. it has a convincing air quality plan to comply fully across the UK with the daily mean and annual average Limit Values for PM10 by 2011 (or earlier);

5. where the Commission has raised no objections within nine months of receipt of that notification, the relevant conditions for a time extension shall be deemed to be satisfied. If objections are raised, the Commission may require the Member State to adjust or provide new air quality plans; and

6. if the UK misses the deadline of 31 October 2008 and/or does not submit an air quality plan that satisfies the Commission that it will eliminate the breaches of Limit Values for PM10 in London, it will be subject to legal action for breaching these Limit Values in 2005, 2006 and/or 2007. This will involve the Commission asking the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to require the UK to remedy these breaches immediately (i.e. no delay allowed until 2011). If the UK fails to comply with ECJ’s requirements, the Commission can ask the ECJ to impose unlimited lump sum and daily fines against the UK.

The government has admitted that it plans currently to launch yet another public consultation in early 2009 on its plans to comply with Limit Values for PM10 with a view to submitting a time extension notification request to the Commission by ‘summer 2009’. This timetable clearly sets the government on a collision course with the Commission and the ECJ. Worse still, the government does not plan to commence a consultation on measures to comply with air quality laws for nitrogen dioxide until 2010. Its current consultation on NO2 is intended to meet only the requirements of historic air quality laws not those of the new AQ Directive. Similarly, Mayor Johnson’s letter to CCAL states he plans to launch a public consultation on his Air Quality Strategy by June 2009.

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for CCAL, said:

“In CCAL’s considered view, the government will struggle to obtain a time extension to comply with air quality laws for PM10. How can the UK argue that: it has ‘street canyons’ everywhere; climate change has been with us for years already; or that transboundary particulate matter has been arriving in the UK against the prevailing winds? What measures did the UK take before 2005 at a national, regional and local level that made a real difference to air quality? Where are the plans to comply with air quality laws across London by 2011?

“In an approach that will compound the government’s difficulties, its plan to miss the Commission’s deadline of 31 October is cynical and irresponsible: it will miss by months the Commission’s reasonable deadline for submitting a notification for a time extension and will instead coincide with the June 2009 elections for the European Parliament (with all the changes that will entail); and it will give businesses and the general public little notice of the major changes needed by January 2010 (e.g. in road transport).

“As if this was not bad enough, the government wants to: take advantage on the one hand of the new AQ Directive’s technical flexibilities for time extensions for PM10 (without accepting the Commission’s counterbalancing requirements for compliance with the new AQ Directive); and on the other to take advantage of historic air quality laws for NO2 (accepting in full the Commission’s proposals following the introduction of the new AQ Directive).

“If the new AQ Directive had not entered into force, the government would have had to notify the Commission by 31 December 2008 under historic air quality laws of its plans and programmes to comply with Limit Values for both PM10 and NO2. The new AQ Directive reinforces air quality laws for NO2 and adds special conditions for any time extension e.g. that the UK would need to ensure average annual NO2 remains below 60 ug/m3 from 1 January 2010.

“A responsible government would: meet the Commission’s deadline of 31 October 2008 for requesting a time extension for PM10; and undertake a national consultation now on its plans to comply with existing Limit Values for NO2 under historic laws combined with contingency plans to comply with the new AQ Directive if it breaches those Limit Values from January 2010 as already looks certain.

“The government thinks it can ‘pick and choose’ which part of complex obligations it will choose to comply with. CCAL will be highlighting the government’s ‘tricks’ to the Commission and urging the Commission to take the most robust enforcement action against the UK on both PM10 and NO2 in a way that takes full account of air quality laws.”

Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Air Quality, wrote to Mayor Johnson offering help

CCAL obtained, under the Freedom of Information Act, a copy of the letter written by Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Air Quality, to Mayor Johnson dated 21 July 2008. The full text of that letter appears at the end of this Campaign Update and a copy of the letter is attached separately.

This letter was sent following a request by CCAL to the Minister to meet Mayor Johnson (and vice versa) following the former’s appearance in Parliamentary Question Time. Please see the request and the relevant video of the Minister in Parliament on 17 July 2008:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-07-17a.388.0

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for CCAL, said:

“It is clear that the government is waking up finally to its responsibilities. The government admitting, even after 10 years, that it has no plans yet to comply with air quality laws - but does want to comply - is the first step to compliance. Only if long overdue action is taken now by the government and Mayor Johnson will the UK comply with air quality laws.”

Mayor Boris Johnson replies personally to ‘Clean Air in London’

Mayor Johnson replied in a letter dated 31 July 2008 to various requests from CCAL to him to clarify his attitude towards improving air quality in London and compliance with air quality laws. The full text of that letter appears at the end of this Campaign Update.

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for CCAL, said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) is pleased to have received a personal letter from Mayor Johnson with reassurance that he is “passionately committed to improving air quality in London” and “committed to taking bold action to try to meet the requirements” of air quality laws.

“In the meeting promised soon a month ago with the Mayor’s policy advisers, CCAL expects to press the points made in this Campaign Update and many others and ask:

i. What policies is Mayor Johnson considering already to reduce air pollution near London’s busiest roads by more than one-third in the next 16 months (as required by air quality laws)?;
ii. Would Mayor Johnson prefer a package of modest measures (e.g. road pricing, parking measures and one or more inner low emission zones) or would he prefer a stringent version of just one of those measures (e.g. a particularly tight additional inner low emission zone)?;
iii. Why is Mayor Johnson planning currently to delay the publication and consultation on his Air Quality Strategy until June 2009?; and
iv. How much notice does Mayor Johnson plan to give businesses and the general public of the major changes required of them in London by January 2010 (e.g. in road transport)?

“After China surpassed international expectations in the air quality it ensured for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, will the UK be subject just a few weeks later to legal action for breaching air quality laws in London? CCAL urges the government and Mayor Johnson to put aside their political differences and work together to comply fully with air quality laws in London.”

Contact

Campaign for Clean Air in London
Simon Birkett, Principal Contact via www.cleanairinlondon.org

Notes:

1. The lower annual average test used for the daily mean Limit Value for PM10 reflects the fact that this standard is harder to meet, in general, than the annual average Limit Value.

2. Fine particulate matter (so called PM2.5) comprises typically 60-70% of PM10 i.e. the annual average Limit Value for PM10 of 40 ug/m3 is equivalent to a figure of about 25-30 ug/m3 of PM2.5. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no safe exposure to particulate matter and recommends a maximum annual exposure of no more than 10 ug/m3 of PM2.5 i.e. much less than half the level implied by the annual average Limit Value for PM10.

3. Defra recently discovered a problem measuring PM10 in 2004 and 2005. CCAL understands though that this problem affected only measurements made using the ‘gravimetric’ method at about 12 sites across the UK. Three monitoring sites in London could have been affected: Earls Court Road (Kensington and Chelsea 5), Foxham Gardens (Islington 4) and Duncan Terrace (Islington 5). However, CCAL understands that the entire excellent London Air Quality Network, including those three sites, was unaffected by the problems.

4. An excellent website showing the current status of LEZs across Europe is:

http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/   more »

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY, APPROPRIATELY CREDITED, IF PRIOR PERMISSION IS OBTAINED FROM THE CAMPAIGN FOR CLEAN AIR IN LONDON - PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WISH TO DO SO.

Simon Birkett: ‘We’re choking to death while the government dithers’

New air quality laws require one-third less air pollution in London within 18 months

Live in a big city and you risk suffering from fumes, breathing difficulties, even premature death. Yet the government has spent 10 years in denial about the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) air quality problems. The rest of us know differently and action is long overdue.

For change to happen, UK citizens look set to have to rely on the European Union’s (EU’s) legal framework that first put legal force behind World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for air quality in 1999. That framework was updated on 11 June 2008 when a new EU directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force (the new AQ Directive). Now we need that directive to be translated into action.

Environmental, social and economic cases for action

Poor air quality has serious implications for public health resulting in between 12,000 and 24,000 premature deaths each year in the UK – those with asthma, lung diseases and heart conditions, particularly the very young and the old, are most susceptible. These numbers compare with some 617 such deaths per annum from workplace-related passive smoking before recent legislation came into force and up to 22,000 premature deaths per year related to alcohol consumption. The Rogers Review in 2006 stated that, in 2005, the UK’s annual cost of health impacts from one form of air pollution alone, called particulate matter (or PM10), was between £9.1 billion and £21 billion per annum. Aside from the terrible human cost, the economic case for action was made in the government’s own Air Quality Strategy in 2007 when it stated that ‘policies in the road transport sector and electricity sector have been shown to be very cost beneficial with benefits estimated to have exceeded costs by up to a factor of 24’.

This public health crisis is not surprising when air pollution near our busiest streets is so bad. During 2007 in London, for example, the average annual concentrations of a toxic gas called nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Marylebone Road, Kings Road and Brompton Road were 102, 91 and 94 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) respectively (and they have started five to 10% higher in 2008). These measurements compare with the WHO’s guideline, set in 2000 and re-confirmed in 2005, and backed by EU law, of a maximum average annual concentration of 40 ug/m3. The air we are breathing in hardly bears thinking about.

Article 22

Nearly 10 years on, the government has failed to deliver WHO recommended standards of air quality throughout the UK. Fortunately, Article 22 in the new AQ Directive provides, amongst other things, that the UK cannot get a time extension from meeting its legal obligations for NO2 by January 2010 unless it ensures that average annual concentrations of NO2 remain below 60 ug/m3 across the UK thereafter. This means that air pollution near London’s busiest streets, for example, must be reduced by more than one-third in just over 18 months.

One result of Article 22 is that it could stop the Heathrow expansion in its tracks. This issue should also concern London Mayor Boris Johnson as he reconsiders the western extension to the Congestion Charging Zone. Then there are the London Olympics in 2012. The organisers would face a public relations disaster if the European Court of Justice took enforcement action against the UK for breaching Article 22 in the months leading up to the Games. The legal obligations rest on the UK as a Member State.

At the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL), we are confident that the European Commission will take robust, early enforcement action against the UK for three reasons. First, without it, the EU’s broader air pollution strategy, including its post-Kyoto climate change negotiations, will be a ‘laughing stock’. Second, with the new AQ Directive being a hard-fought compromise between those who wanted to achieve all the WHO’s standards for air quality and those who wanted delay and greater flexibility, it would be unthinkable for the European Commission to fall at its first enforcement hurdle. Third, the UK (and London in particular) can be singled out for the scale of its NO2 breaches. Enforcement action could take place this year or early in 2009 in respect of PM10 breaches.

Problems and solutions

The government has admitted that road transport is the cause of all breaches of air quality laws in the UK with diesel emissions being by far the biggest single component. The solutions involve two overlapping ‘circles’ of measures – one for congestion and the other for emissions - that target the most polluted areas with technology-based solutions and create a ‘tipping point’ of behavioural change backed by awareness, persuasion, incentives and regulation (when necessary). In one ‘circle’, road pricing is essential, fair and much needed in areas like central and west London, to tackle congestion and ‘make the polluters pay’ since vehicles produce less than half as much air pollution once their speed reaches 30 kilometres per hour. It should operate seven days per week. In the other ‘circle’, we need an additional, inner, Low Emission Zone (LEZ) at least in central and west London to reduce harmful emissions. It will join dozens of others around Europe which target the most polluted areas of large cities. Unless the government sets, belatedly and soon, national standards for the abatement of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from older diesel vehicles of all the main types, these vehicles must be banned soon by LEZs from the UK’s most polluted streets.

After nearly 10 years, the government must take action

There are clear environmental, social and economic cases for improving the UK’s air quality quickly. Despite this, the government has shown itself incapable, over 10 years, of mustering even the political will needed to meet its environmental obligations. It has listened to the same siren voices that argued against the creation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act introduced in 1956. We need a new approach urgently from the government and Mayor Johnson that will give stakeholders of all types, whether from business, the non-governmental sector or citizens generally, the certainty and time necessary to play their full part in delivering the required changes in the most cost effective manner. Failing that, we shall have to urge the European Commission to take robust action to defend WHO-based air quality laws.

Simon Birkett is the Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London

This article is based on an opinion piece by Simon Birkett that was published in The Independent newspaper on 4 July 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/simon-birkett-were-choking-to-death-while-the-government-dithers-859954.html   more »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 4 July 2008

New air quality laws require one-third less air pollution in London within 18 months

New European Union directive on ambient air quality backs World Health Organisation guidelines and will ensure that average annual nitrogen dioxide is kept under 60 micrograms per cubic metre if the UK is granted a time extension from January 2010 to January 2015

Impacts on Low Emission Zones, congestion charging and airport expansion

“Under new air quality laws, the United Kingdom (UK) must reduce air pollution near London’s busiest streets by over one-third in less than 18 months to approach World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines or face unlimited lump sum and daily fines from the European Court of Justice”, said Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London. Birkett went on to say “This short timetable is due entirely to the government’s failure to comply with WHO guidelines or WHO-based air quality laws that have been around for nearly 10 years. These obligations can be met if long overdue action is taken now.”

Updated air quality laws based on World Health Organisation advice

Live in a big city and you risk suffering from fumes, breathing difficulties, even premature death. Yet the government has spent 10 years in denial about the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) air quality problems. The rest of us know differently and action is long overdue. For change to happen, UK citizens look set to have to rely on the European Union’s (EU’s) legal framework that first put legal force behind World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for air quality in 1999. That framework was updated on 11 June 2008 when a new EU directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force (the new AQ Directive). Now we need that directive to be translated into action.

Environmental, social and economic reasons for action

Poor air quality has serious implications for public health resulting in between 12,000 and 24,000 premature deaths each year in the UK – those with asthma, lung diseases and heart conditions, particularly the very young and the old, are most susceptible. These numbers compare with some 617 such deaths per annum from workplace-related passive smoking before recent legislation came into force and up to 22,000 premature deaths per year related to alcohol consumption. The Rogers Review in 2006 stated that, in 2005, the UK’s annual cost of health impacts from one form of air pollution alone, called particulate matter (or PM10), was between £9.1 billion and £21 billion per annum. Aside from the terrible human cost, the economic case for action was made in the government’s own Air Quality Strategy in 2007 when it stated that ‘policies in the road transport sector and electricity sector have been shown to be very cost beneficial with benefits estimated to have exceeded costs by up to a factor of 24’.

This public health crisis is not surprising when air pollution near our busiest streets is so bad. During 2007 in London, for example, the average annual concentrations of a toxic gas called nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Marylebone Road, Kings Road and Brompton Road were 102, 91 and 94 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) respectively (and they have started five to 10% higher in 2008). These measurements compare with the WHO’s guideline, set in 2000 and re-confirmed in 2005, and backed by EU law, of a maximum average annual concentration of 40 ug/m3. The air we are breathing in hardly bears thinking about.

Article 22

Nearly 10 years on, the government has failed to deliver WHO recommended standards of air quality throughout the UK. Fortunately, Article 22 in the new AQ Directive provides, amongst other things, that the UK cannot get a time extension from meeting its legal obligations for NO2 by January 2010 unless it ensures that average annual concentrations of NO2 remain below 60 ug/m3 thereafter. This means that air pollution near London’s busiest streets, for example, must be reduced by more than one-third in just over 18 months.

One result of Article 22 is that it could stop the Heathrow expansion in its tracks. This issue should also concern London Mayor Boris Johnson as he reconsiders the western extension to the Congestion Charging Zone. Then there are the London Olympics in 2012. The organisers would face a public relations disaster if the European Court of Justice took enforcement action against the UK for breaching Article 22 in the months leading up to the Games. The legal obligations rest on the UK as a Member State.

At the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL), we are confident that the European Commission will take robust, early enforcement action against the UK for three reasons. First, without it, the EU’s broader air pollution strategy, including its post-Kyoto climate change negotiations, will be a ‘laughing stock’. Second, with the new AQ Directive being a hard-fought compromise between those who wanted to achieve all the WHO’s standards for air quality and those who wanted delay and greater flexibility, it would be unthinkable for the European Commission to fall at its first enforcement hurdle. Third, the UK (and London in particular) can be singled out for the scale of its NO2 breaches. Enforcement action could take place this year or early in 2009 in respect of PM10 breaches.

Problems and solutions

The government has admitted that road transport is the cause of all breaches of air quality laws in the UK with diesel emissions being by far the biggest single component. The solutions involve two overlapping ‘circles’ of measures - one for congestion and the other for emissions - that target the most polluted areas with technology-based solutions and create a ‘tipping point’ of behavioural change backed by awareness, persuasion, incentives and regulation (when necessary). In one ‘circle’, road pricing is essential, fair and much needed in areas like central and west London, to tackle congestion and ‘make the polluters pay’ since vehicles produce less than half as much air pollution once their speed reaches 30 kilometres per hour. It should operate seven days per week. In the other ‘circle’, we need an additional, inner, Low Emission Zone (LEZ) at least in central and west London to reduce harmful emissions. It will join dozens of others around Europe which target the most polluted areas of large cities. Unless the government sets, belatedly and soon, national standards for the abatement of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from older diesel vehicles of all the main types, these vehicles must be banned soon by LEZs from the UK’s most polluted streets.

After nearly 10 years, the government must take action

There are clear environmental, social and economic reasons for improving the UK’s air quality quickly. Despite this, the government has shown itself incapable, over 10 years, of mustering even the political will needed to meet its environmental obligations. It has listened to the same siren voices that argued against the creation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act introduced in 1956. We need a new approach urgently from the government and Mayor Johnson that will give stakeholders of all types, whether from business, the non-governmental sector or citizens generally, the certainty and time necessary to play their full part in delivering the required changes in the most cost effective manner. Failing that, we shall have to urge the European Commission to take robust action to defend WHO-based air quality laws.

Contact:

Campaign for Clean Air in London

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact
See campaign website for full contact details

Notes for Editors:

1. Campaign for Clean Air in London

The purpose of the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London is to achieve urgently and sustainably at least World Health Organisation recommended standards of air quality throughout London. The Campaign has received support from Mayor Livingstone, leading politicians from all the four main political parties in London and all the amenity societies in Central London as well as leading business groups including the Central London Partnership, London First and The Knightsbridge Business Group. It has also received a pledge of support from Environmental Protection UK (formerly the National Society for the Protection of Clean Air) and the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s. CAiL’s campaign website is: http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/

2. Leading NGOs call for government commitment to full compliance with air quality laws

Eleven leading NGOs wrote to the Prime Minister on 16 June 2008 calling on him to make a clear and unequivocal public commitment that the government will ensure full compliance with the new EU directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. The full text of the letter can be downloaded at:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2008/6/16/3747824.html

3. The new European Union directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe

The full text of the European Union directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe can be downloaded at:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:152:0001:0044:EN:PDF

Article 22 appears on page 10.

A detailed analysis of the new directive by CAiL, dated 12 December 2007 and including quotes from four leading Members of the European Parliament, can be downloaded at:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2008/3/29/3609593.html

4. Infringements of EU law

Details of the European Union’s approach to infringements of EU law, including its system of lump sum and daily fines, can be downloaded at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/infringements/infringements_en.htm   more »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 16 June 2008

Leading NGOs call for Government commitment to comply fully with Air Quality Laws

Campaign for Clean Air in London calls on Mayor Johnson to make a similar commitment and support the NGOs’ letter to the Prime Minister

Today, the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL) joined 10 leading environmental and health based organisations (NGOs) in writing to the Prime Minister urging a Government commitment to comply fully with the European Union Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (the new AQ Directive) which entered into force on 11 June 2008.

CAiL has written today to Mayor Johnson also inviting him to make a similar commitment to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London and to make a public statement in support of the NGOs’ letter to the Prime Minister.

Text of the Letter to the Prime Minister

“Dear Prime Minister

The provision of a healthy environment is one of the Government’s greatest responsibilities to protect citizens. Despite this, levels of air pollutants in many parts of the UK are substantially in breach of the health and ecosystem standards set in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are currently expected to remain so for some time.

We, the undersigned, believe that the recent approval of the new European Union Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe gives you the opportunity to make a clear and unequivocal public commitment that the Government will ensure full United Kingdom (UK) compliance with it.

We urge you to consider going further by committing the Government to improving human health and protecting biodiversity, the environment and historical sites by complying with laws concerning emissions to air generally: whether for the purpose of fighting climate change; improving air quality or otherwise. If the UK does not meet its short-term obligations for air quality, what chance is there that it will meet five-year carbon budgets and longer-term commitments introduced in the Climate Change Bill?

An unambiguous commitment now from the Government backed thereafter by prompt and meaningful action will give stakeholders of all types, whether from business, the non-governmental sector or citizens generally, the certainty and time necessary to play their full part in delivering the required changes in the most cost effective manner.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Asthma UK
The British Medical Association
Campaign for Better Transport
Campaign for Clean Air in London
The Environmental Industries Commission
Environmental Protection UK
Green Alliance
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
Sustrans
The UK Public Health Association
WWF-UK

Quote from the Campaign for Clean Air in London:

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

"The new European Union Directive on air quality sets a robust framework to move Europe towards meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality.

"The Directive would not be needed if the UK Government had shown the political will necessary to achieve, on its own, WHO recommended air quality standards and comply with earlier, similar, Directives going back to 1999.

"With the Government in 'denial' about the UK's serious air quality problems, Londoners and others will depend on the European Commission enforcing rigorously the new air quality laws.

"London will depend too on Mayor Johnson showing soon how he will improve urgently London's air quality. CAiL has therefore invited Mayor Johnson to make a similar commitment to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London and to make a public statement in support of the NGOs’ letter to the Prime Minister."

Contact:

Campaign for Clean Air in London

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact
Email: clearairinlondon-media@yahoo.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

1. The purpose of the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London is to achieve urgently and sustainably at least World Health Organisation recommended standards of air quality throughout London. See www.cleanairinlondon.org

2. The new EU Directive came into force on 11 June 2008. It will merge and streamline four existing EU directives and a Council Decision in a single text to become Europe’s main air quality legislation for 12 regulated pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) while setting new objectives for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). It will modernise reporting provisions and provide a framework to address breaches of air quality laws that have taken place since 2005, which were set in legislation in 1999, for which no time extensions were allowed.

3. Air pollution has impacts on human health ranging from minor effects on the respiratory system to reduced lung function, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy. Air pollution in the EU, most notably from fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, causes the premature death of almost 370,000 citizens every year, reducing average life expectancy by an average of nine months.

4. Local Authorities are required to periodically assess air quality in their areas and declare ‘Air Quality Management Areas’ where levels of certain pollutants are found to be above EU and UK limits. Currently 218 local authorities have declared an Air Quality Management Area for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter (PM10) or Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). A full list is available at the link below:

www.airquality.co.uk/archive/laqm/list.php   more »

Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force on 11 June 2008. For the full text of the Directive, please see:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:152:0001:0044:EN:PDF

For a detailed analysis of the implications of this Directive please see a News Release published by the Campaign for Clean Air in London on 12 December 2007:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2008/3/29/3609593.html

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said "The new European Union Directive on air quality sets a robust framework to move Europe towards meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality.

"The Directive would not be needed if the UK Government had shown the political will necessary to achieve, on its own, WHO recommended air quality standards and comply with earlier, similar, Directives going back to 1999.

"With the Government in 'denial' about the UK's serious air quality problems, Londoners and others will depend on the European Commission enforcing rigorously the new air quality laws.

"London will depend too on Mayor Johnson showing soon how he will improve urgently London's air quality."   more »

Campaign update and news release: 19 April 2008

'Clean Air in London' hails Lord Coe’s Air Quality vision for London 2012

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL) has received a personal letter from Lord Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG and London 2012), in response to its request to him to clarify LOCOG's stance on air quality issues for London 2012. The full text of Lord Coe's letter is published below. A copy of his letter and its attachment can also be downloaded from CAiL’s website.

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for CAiL, said “Lord Coe is to be applauded for setting out a bold and positive vision for the role air quality will play as part of London 2012 and its legacy. In particular, Lord Coe has set the scene for a successful London 2012 by:

1. making clear that ‘We fully recognise the importance of air quality, both for athletic performance and for public health and environmental quality generally’;
2. highlighting the strict standards that the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) must meet in its construction works throughout the preparation phase for London 2012;
3. highlighting the crucial roles that other parties, such as Government and the Mayor of London*, have to play in ensuring that air quality laws are complied with sustainably in London; and
4. emphasising the crucial role that the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 (CSL 2012) will have in assessing progress and highlighting issues that arise.”

Simon Birkett went on to say “The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL) applauds Lord Coe for setting out this vision and responding to CAiL's concerns at an early stage in the preparations for London 2012.

“Three actions are needed if air quality is to become one of London 2012’s successes:

1. the Mayor of London* will have to produce a bold new Air Quality Strategy (MAQS) that is linked to other radical environmental policies. The MAQS must be backed by robust implementation that will trigger the large scale behavioural and technological change needed to tackle London's serious air pollution problems that remain outside the direct control of LOCOG. Of course, the ODA needs urgently a proper Air Quality Strategy of its own to support more specifically Lord Coe's vision;
2. comprehensive and effective monitoring of the Olympic sites and related construction traffic activities must be put in place quickly to ensure that the environmental impact of London 2012, in respect of itself and for the whole of London, is minimised and its legacy benefits are maximised. CSL 2012 must have ‘teeth’ in its oversight role and be seen to use them; and
3. the Government, in particular the Prime Minister after four successive senior Ministers have declined to do so, must insist that the United Kingdom (UK) will comply fully with air quality laws given that it is the Government that is responsible ultimately for the UK’s compliance with air quality laws in London. Without such a commitment and the actions that must inevitably follow, LOCOG's determined efforts will be in vain.

“The good news for Londoners and all others wanting London 2012 to be a success is that the European Union finally adopted on 14 April 2008 a new Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. Just one its many obligations will require the UK to achieve air quality standards for particulate matter throughout London, by mid-2011 at the latest, that were breached, in London, in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. In the very broadest terms, air pollution near London’s busiest roads must be halved before the events of London 2012 take place. Failure to comply with these new laws, which will bite in each of the next four years, will result surely in prompt and robust action against the UK by the European Commission in order to defend the latter’s international credibility not just on air quality but also on air pollution related issues generally (which include climate change).

“Under Lord Coe's leadership, there is every chance that air quality will be seen as one of the greatest achievements of London 2012 and its legacy. Let's make London 2012 ‘the best Games ever - for athletes, for sustainability and the environment, for lovers of sport in the UK and beyond’ exactly as the International Olympic Committee was told to expect in London's bid in a letter from the Mayor of London dated 29 October 2004.”

* The Mayor of London election takes places on 1 May 2008.

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Campaign update: 6 March 2008

Tessa Jowell replies personally on London 2012 air quality laws

International Paralympic Committee writes emphasising importance of independent assurance reports by Commission for Sustainable London 2012

Silence still from Olympic Delivery Authority and British Olympic Association

London needs radical environmental action to comply with air quality laws

CAiL urges Prime Minister take a lead on air pollution after Ministers will not

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL) has received a personal letter from Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics and London. The Minister’s letter responds to CAiL’s letter dated 17 January 2008 that urged the Government to commit to take all necessary actions to ensure that the London 2012 Olympic Games and the London 2012 Paralympic Games (London 2012) will, at an absolute minimum, comply sustainably and fully with the letter and spirit of all applicable UK and European Union (EU) air quality laws and the Host City Contract for London 2012.

CAiL is pleased to have received replies also from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Xavier Gonzales, Chief Executive of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). CAiL has sought, without any success, reassurance also from David Higgins, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, and Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association. The replies from Tessa Jowell and Xavier Gonzales are published in full at the end of this Campaign Update. CAiL is not publishing the IOC’s reply at its request.

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Campaign update: 27 January 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CAMPAIGN NEWS RELEASE: 27 January 2008

Low Emission Zone is much needed but must go much further, much faster

Brompton Road air pollution peaks hit record levels in 2007 and topped those in Marylebone Road

72% of Londoners are worried about air pollution

IOC was told that “London has the capacity and ambition to deliver the best Games ever – for athletes, for sustainability and the environment”

Department for Transport replies to 15 crucial questions from CAiL

Air pollution in London’s busiest streets must be “halved” within four years

Low Emission Zone is much needed

"The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is much needed since London needs to more than halve air pollution in its busiest streets within four years to meet health standards and comply with air quality laws. However, as currently planned, the LEZ will make a modest contribution only to the necessary reductions in air pollution levels. London needs to reduce the most hazardous vehicle emissions much further, much faster by tightening the LEZ in the most polluted areas of London. It is unacceptable that the Department for Transport still does not have an holistic strategy for the abatement of emissions from older vehicles. Emissions from diesel engines are a particular problem in London” said Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL).

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Campaign update: 12 December 2007

CAiL gives conditional support to new EU Air Quality Directive

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL) thanks President Barroso, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for resolving their legislative impasse and agreeing new legislation to reduce Europe’s air pollution

CAiL’s support for the new Directive is conditional, however, on: the European Commission taking a robust stance in assessing and allowing any time extensions from existing requirements; the United Kingdom (UK) Government committing now to comply with this new legal framework; and there being no special “let-outs” for the UK

Quotes included from leading London MEPs of all four political parties

Commenting on this result, Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CAiL), said: “The Campaign for Clean Air in London thanks President Barroso, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for resolving their legislative impasse and agreeing new legislation to reduce Europe’s air pollution. Unexpectedly, the final outcome achieves one or two key objectives for each of those stakeholders, instead of a weaker Directive, that has been feared for two years, which would not have met, for any of them, any of their key objectives. London’s MEPs particularly have worked hard in defense of existing environmental protections.”

CAiL’s support for the Directive is conditional. Simon Birkett said “The new EU Directive is only better than the current regime of several EU Directives on air quality if: the European Commission takes a robust stance in assessing and allowing any time extensions from existing requirements; the United Kingdom (UK) Government commits now to comply with this new legal framework; and there are no special “let-outs” for the UK. Otherwise, Londoners would have been better off pressing for the robust enforcement of existing EU legislation - even though that could have taken years.”

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Campaign update: 3 September 2007

Government admits evasively EU air quality action

Government credibility on air pollution has hit a new low, shortly before the crucial Climate Change Bill debates, after being forced to admit European Commission action on Air Quality legal breaches

The Government has admitted that the United Kingdom (UK) has received a Letter of Formal Notice (first written warning) from the European Commission (the Commission) for failing to meet its legal obligations in relation to Air Quality. The admission came in a response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Campaign for Clean Air in London which has written again to the European Commission to urge further action. Both letters are published in the Campaign update.

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Campaign update: 12 August 2007

European Commission takes action on UK breaches of Air Quality Legal Limits

The European Commission has written to the Campaign for Clean Air in London at Commissioner Dimas’ request replying to its letter dated 12 May 2007 urging him to ask the European Court of Justice to commence enforcement action against the United Kingdom (UK) for breaching European Union (EU) legal limits for air quality for which no time extensions or derogations are allowed. Both letters appear at the end of this Campaign Update.

In its letter to Commissioner Dimas, the Campaign for Clean Air in London said:

“Respectfully, if the European Commission does not act in the way we are requesting it will raise serious concerns about the likelihood of any European Union enforcement action related to Air Pollution whether for air quality, for carbon dioxide emissions for cars or in respect of climate change. Please set an example now in respect of air quality that will reassure European citizens about their future.”

Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said today:

“We welcome news that the European Commission has written to the UK requesting information on the measures it intends to take to improve the [air quality] situation and to meet the requirements in the Air Quality Directives. Significantly, we believe that the UK has received also from the European Commission a Letter of Formal Notice in respect of breaches of EU legal limits for sulphur dioxide. The latter is a first step in legal action against a Member State that is not respecting its obligations. We asked Defra [i.e. the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] for confirmation of this news more than a week ago and are still awaiting a reply."

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Campaign update: 22 July 2007

No political will shown in Defra’s new Air Quality Strategy for the UK

The new Air Quality Strategy for the UK was published by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 17 July 2007. Commenting on the new Strategy, Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

"The new Air Quality Strategy is much needed after seven years and is therefore to be welcomed. However, after seven years and hundreds of pages of analysis in three volumes, the UK's updated Strategy is still mostly about "work in progress" rather than solutions. At this rate, the UK is likely to remain second worst for air pollution in western Europe behind only The Netherlands."

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Campaign update: 18 March 2007

Petition Prime Minister for Clean Air in London

To all Londoners (and others in the UK) worried about poor air quality:

"We are petitioning the Prime Minister to Pledge the Government’s full support to achieve urgently World Health Organisation recommended standards of air quality throughout London. Please sign our Petition to the Prime Minister today and forward it to others who are worried about the serious health effects of air pollution and promote the link on your website if you have one", said Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the Campaign for Clean Air in London:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/LondonCleanAir/


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Campaign update: 23 February 2007

Mayor supports personally “Clean Air in London”

Commenting on a personal letter from the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, which replied to a recent invitation to him to support the Campaign for Clean Air in London Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London, said:

“The Campaign for Clean Air in London is delighted to have received the Mayor’s full support for its goals to improve air quality for all and to find that he believes that all Londoners have the right to clean and healthy air. The Campaign has one overarching aim which is to achieve urgently World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality throughout London.

“The Campaign joins the Mayor in calling on the UK Government to take action to support London’s efforts to improve air quality. Furthermore, the Campaign for Clean Air in London asks again the Prime Minister and David Miliband, the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, to reply to letters to them dated 23 December and 5 January respectively, which invited them also to pledge their support for the Campaign for Clean Air in London. It is not as if serious air pollution can even be dismissed as a “London problem”. In 2006, Bradford, Glasgow and Scunthorpe joined London in breaching European Union legal limits on air quality and Port Talbot’s air pollution hit the maximum recommended level.

“Finally, with support for our goals now received from the Mayor and leading politicians of all four political parties as well as leading business groups and community organisations in London, the Campaign for Clean Air in London is calling for an ambitious package of measures to be introduced in coming months that will deliver for Londoners urgently at least a minimum of World Health Organisation recommended standards of air quality.”

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Campaign update: 16 February 2007

Mayor replies to our questions on the Low Emission Zone

Commenting on a letter from the Mayor replying to a recent submission on the Low Emission Zone consultation, Simon Birkett, Principal Contact for the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London, said today:

“The Mayor deserves credit for taking the first steps in the United Kingdom to reduce air pollution by tackling congestion and traffic emissions. Painful though it may be, road pricing and emission controls are necessary in London if the health and quality of life of those who live in, work in and visit London are to be protected.

“We need to bear in mind that over 1,000 people died in London in 2005 from one form of air pollution alone (particulate matter or PM10) which is more than four times the number who died in road traffic accidents. Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody, Chairman of The Transport Select Committee, said this week that the Government must make air quality a priority. The Committee’s annual report expressed dismay at the Department for Transport’s lack of success in improving air quality.

“The western extension of the Congestion Charge zone is a painful but necessary next step by the Mayor towards achieving World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality throughout London. We should encourage the Mayor to go further and faster by introducing a much more ambitious Low Emission Zone, if necessary, following a further or parallel public consultation. We should also encourage the Mayor to introduce a more sophisticated road pricing scheme, using a “tag and beacon” system rather than costly spy-in-the-sky satellites, that would allow congestion and air pollution to be targeted precisely without the blunt instrument of congestion charging that damages small businesses, makes short, non-peak hour journeys expensive and triggers rat-running through residential streets along its boundaries.

“Given that the Campaign for Clean Air in London has received support from the four main political parties in London as well as London First, the Central London Partnership and more than 25 community groups, it is not clear who the “stakeholders” are who stopping the Mayor from achieving urgently WHO standards of air quality throughout London and why the “practical problems” they raise cannot be addressed quickly. In 1999 legislation, most of the WHO air quality standards were expected to be achieved by January 2010 whereas the Mayor says now that they might not even be achieved by 2015. It is clear from his letter that the Mayor wants to do much more to improve air quality and he should be encouraged to take quickly bold steps to do so.”

The Campaign for Clean Air in London “urges the Mayor to implement ambitious measures to improve urgently London’s air quality which is amongst the worst in Europe and invites him again to Pledge support for the Campaign for Clean Air in London as many others have now done.”

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Campaign update: 1 February 2007

Clean Air in London wins cross-party support

The Campaign for Clean Air in London is delighted to announce today that it has received over 50 Pledges from leading politicians and business and community groups to support its cross-party campaign to improve air quality throughout London.

In recent weeks, we have invited Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, David Miliband, as Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and Ken Livingstone, as Mayor of London, together with various other leading politicians and organisations to Pledge their support to the Campaign for Clean Air in London. On 23 January, Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Air Quality within Defra, issued a news release titled “Greater action needed to deliver cleaner air”. Mr Bradshaw said “More needs to be done at local, national and European level if cleaner air is to be achieved” and commented that “Nitrogen dioxide and particulates continue to be a problem in specific locations – usually associated with traffic emissions”.

Pledges of support have been received now from 24 leading politicians representing all four of the main political parties in London. The Campaign for Clean Air in London is delighted also to have received Pledges of support from the Central London Partnership (which works by bringing together public and private sector influence to create positive change in Central London), London First (representing around 300 leading businesses in London) and The Knightsbridge Business Group (representing 18 leading businesses in the Knightsbridge area). These individuals and organisations join 27 community groups, representing virtually the whole of Central London, who have also confirmed their support for the Campaign.

Those giving Pledges have confirmed their support for the aim of the Campaign for Clean Air in London which is to achieve urgently World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality throughout London.

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Campaign update: 29 October 2006

Include all Air Pollution in Climate Change Bill

Air pollution is represented mainly by Climate Change (in the high atmosphere with long term consequences) and Air Quality (at street level with short, medium and long term health effects). The former is caused mainly by carbon dioxide and the latter is caused mainly by nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter. Both require international co-operation and tough local action to deliver effective solutions.

The Government is almost certain to commit formally to introduce a “Climate Change Bill”. For some reason, the Government seems unwilling to introduce a “contract for clean air” when it wants to introduce contracts for water and waste. Instead it seems to treat climate change and air quality as completely different air pollution subjects – possibly because different Defra Ministers have responsibility for the two subjects. Logic dictates that standards should be set for air pollution as a whole with binding annual limits and an independent watchdog. To do otherwise would be like saying that the Government wants standards for reservoirs and rivers but not drinking water!

Separately, they have been key, recent, developments in Europe in connection with the new draft European Union (EU) Directive on Air Pollution (which will determine the overarching structure of UK air pollution legislation for years to come). On Monday 23 October, David Miliband at the Council of Ministers rejected the vote by the European Parliament on the first reading of the European Parliament’s draft EU Directive on Air Pollution. Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Air Quality, who was in Luxembourg with David Miliband, did not seem to want to publicise the event and instead put out a News Release in the UK saying “Petrol station pollution to be cut by 85%”. Perhaps UK Ministers were embarrassed that only two Labour MEPs from the UK had attended the key European Parliament vote a month ago (because the others were presumably at the Labour Party Conference), and both voted for new time extensions for air pollution legal limits which the Council of Ministers then rejected.

The action of the Council of Ministers will force a second reading of the draft new EU Directive on Air Pollution probably in April or May 2007. The Council of Ministers formalised its informal stance of June 2006 which would allow a delay for the meeting of EU legal limits for particulate matter from 1 January 2005 to 1 January 2011 (i.e. by six years) and for nitrogen dioxide from 1 January 2010 to 1 January 2015 (i.e. by five years). The former would not be automatic and the current legal limits would continue to apply (and were breached in many places in the UK in 2005 - especially London). We find the possibility of allowing such delays either in legislation or practice unacceptable given that they were accepted by the UK Government as far back as 1999.

The next step in Europe will be the translation of the text into 23 languages so that it can go back to the European Parliament and the MEPs. This process will probably take until late January or February 2007. The European Parliament will then have three months before it must hold a second reading and a final vote. At that stage, the European Parliament can overturn the Council of Ministers decision and determine the form of the new legislation. It will be vital that European Governments press MEPs, particularly those in Germany and the Netherlands (who lead the adverse outcome on the first vote after intense lobbying of them by industrialists), to adopt an approach that strengthens EU air pollution legislation not weakens it. The role of London MEPs and all of the UK political parties will be crucial if that outcome is to be achieved.

To address unacceptable levels of air pollution in London, we will be seeking renewed support over coming months for a London wide action group on clean air from leading community organisations, business groups, borough councils, the Mayor and the Olympics organisers. We will also be seeking cross-party pledges from any political party claiming to have “green credentials” to the campaign to achieve World Health Organisation recommended levels of air quality in London by 1 January 2010 (and earlier for particulate matter). We know that once the political will exists, practical solutions will be found.

Finally, we urge all political parties to commit to addressing air pollution holistically, not piecemeal, in the new Climate Change Bill and to fight for tougher, not weaker, air pollution legislation in Europe.

Simon Birkett
Chair, Transport and Environment Committee
The Knightsbridge Association

Campaign site address

Note: if you haven’t done so already please read two recent media articles highlighting the extent of the air pollution problems in London

“Ken vs the black snot”

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/greenberry/?p=9

“Clean air – a necessity and a right”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2006/09/22/air_quality_feature.shtml

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Campaign update: 26 September 2006

London MEPs reject air quality postponements

Earlier today, all six MEPs representing London at the vote on the European Parliament’s (EP) first reading of a new European Union (EU) Directive on Air Pollution rejected unanimously calls for unnecessary postponements of European Union (EU) air quality limits. In an outstanding display of concern for Londoners, these MEPs stood up against their European political party allies to oppose these delays. One London MEP, John Bowis (Conservative), went so far as to vote against the offending amendments even though he was the official “Co-ordinator” of a session!

Two London MEPs made powerful addresses to the EP yesterday. Baroness Ludford (Liberal Democrat) said “The EU has a well earned reputation for championing environmental issues at home and abroad. It must now live up to this reputation and put citizens’ health first.” John Bowis emphasised that “In my constituency, 1,000 people die prematurely as a result of air pollution and another 1,000 are sent to hospital. We need a robust directive.”

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Campaign update: 20 September 2006

Stop Germans weakening new air quality regime

To all United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)

The debate in the European Parliament on the new European Union (EU) Directive on Air Pollution scheduled for 25 September, and the vote expected shortly thereafter, will prove a decisive test of your green credentials. Please stop the Germans from weakening and delaying the effect of the new legal regime for air pollution that will replace the current five EU Directives dealing with air pollution. Please protect UK citizens from air pollution by ensuring that a tough new EU legal regime is implemented urgently.

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Campaign update: 15 September 2006

Air pollution test of political green credentials

Dear nine London MEPs and Chris Davies MEP

The debate in the European Parliament on the new European Union (EU) Directive on Air Pollution scheduled for 25 September, and the vote expected shortly thereafter, will prove a decisive test of your green credentials.

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Campaign update: 20 August 2006

The Observer breaks the story on air pollution

The Observer newspaper broke the story today on the extent of air pollution problems in Central London. In a powerful and well researched article on page 3, Ned Temko, Chief Political Correspondent, highlighted the real impact of traffic pollution at street level.

Please read Ned Temko’s article online at:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1854333,00.html

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Campaign update: 19 July 2006

How can I contribute to this campaign?

If you want to register your concern about air pollution in Central London, you should send an email to Eko Dienne at "air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk" and copy it to:

1. Rt. Hon. David Miliband who is the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on david.miliband@defra.gsi.gov.uk

2. The Mayor on mayor@london.gov.uk

3. You might copy also your local MP and Councillors

4. Other political leaders might also be copied if you wish to ensure that other political parties are aware of your concerns.

Please make at least three points in your email:

1. Describe your worst local air pollution problems and emphasise your concern about the serious health effects they cause

2. Emphasise that you want HM Government to commit to achieving, at a minimum, the World Health Organisation recommended levels for air quality in your area by 1 January 2010 (or earlier especially for particulate matter) - with no "let-out" clauses in areas of high population density

3. Emphasise that you consider that "an unequal distribution of health risks over the population would raise concerns of environmental justice and equity".

Good luck - the more emails that get sent to these political leaders, the more they are likely to appreciate the depth of concern about air pollution across Central London.

Thank you.

Simon

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