CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 6 September 2011

Camfil Farr UK becomes the first Gold Sponsor of Clean Air in London

New campaign to build public understanding of the dangers of indoor air quality, initially in London, with advice for people on protecting themselves and reducing pollution


Camfil Farr in the UK has become the first Gold Sponsor of Clean Air in London (CAL).

Camfil Farr is also supporting a new campaign by CAL to build public understanding of indoor air quality (IAQ), initially in London, with advice for people on protecting themselves (adaptation) and reducing pollution for themselves and others (mitigation).

IAQ can be worse than outdoor (i.e. ambient) air quality (AAQ). Without filters, up to 50% (and much more in some cases) of air pollution found indoors comes from outside. IAQ can be further affected by: tobacco smoke from indoor smoking; combustion (such as gas cooking or candles); water systems, leaks and condensation; and substances emitted from some building materials, furnishings and cleaning agents Note 1. According to the Mayor of London, domestic gas combustion (e.g. from cooking and heating) in turn contributed 22% to ambient air emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in Greater London in 2008 Note 2. IAQ can be improved by particle filters and/or molecular filters which largely eliminate harmful particles and gases respectively. Today’s European citizens spend – on average – over 90% of their time indoors Note 1.

Camfil Farr and CAL agree that clean air is a human right. The sponsorship is based on mutual respect and is backed by an explicit agreement that CAL can speak without ‘fear or favour’. Camfil Farr has made clear to CAL its commitment to the banning of smoking in buildings.

As part of this sponsorship CAL will provide a minimum number of days of advisory services to Camfil Farr each year. The sponsorship will be disclosed on CAL’s website and further brought to the attention of relevant parties if either CAL or Camfil Farr considers a conflict of interest might be perceived.

Further announcements are expected in coming months.

Quotes:

Bill Wilkinson, Managing Director of Camfil Farr in the UK, said:

“Camfil Farr believes that Clean Air is a human right and so we design high quality filtration solutions that meet the needs of sustainable ventilation by creating the right balance between healthy indoor air and energy savings. We welcome the opportunity to work with Clean Air in London to highlight the issues surrounding indoor air quality, air pollution and its effect on human health.”

Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, said:

“It has been marvellous to get to know Camfil Farr with its passion for clean air. With Camfil Farr’s support, CAL is able to launch a much needed and exciting new campaign to warn people of the dangers of poor indoor air quality and press for further legal standards to protect people in public buildings. As Clean Air in London’s first sponsor, Camfil Farr’s financial support will also aid the sustainability of Clean Air in London.”


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CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 2 December 2010

Clean Air in London announces its honorary Founder Supporters

Honorary Founder Supporters include Former Mayor Ken Livingstone, the Campaign for Better Transport, ClientEarth, Environmental Protection UK, Friends of the Earth and the London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies. Leading politicians from all the main parties are also included

Mayor Johnson says: 'I fully support the principal objective of Clean Air in London which is to seek the improvement of the environment and public health'

Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, said:

"A tremendous group of individuals and organisations have accepted an invitation to become honorary Founder Supporters of Clean Air in London. They are being honoured for having encouraged and assisted the Campaign for Clean Air in London since it was formally established on 1 February 2007 and for their strong ongoing commitment to the improvement of air quality in London. Clean Air in London took over responsibility for the campaign from The Knightsbridge Association on 11 November 2010.

"Honorary Founder Supporters include Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London, and leading politicians from the four main parties in London as well as several of the most respected civic, environmental and transport charities. I must mention particularly Darren Johnson AM, Murad Qureshi AM and Mike Tuffrey AM for their constant day-to-day support over many years. The leading charities include the Campaign for Better Transport, ClientEarth, Environmental Protection UK (formerly the National Society for Clean Air), Friends of the Earth and the London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies."

"Mayor Johnson has written personally saying 'I fully support the principal objective of Clean Air in London which is to seek the improvement of the environment and public health'. 'However, as Mayor of London, I need to retain independence so that I can take the course of action that I feel will most benefit Londoners having considered a wide range of views. Therefore, I feel that it would be inappropriate for me to become an honorary Founder Supporter of Clean Air in London, although I will support it in any other way I can'."

Simon Birkett went on to say "On behalf of Clean Air in London, I would like to thank warmly all those who have accepted this invitation in recognition of all they have done and are doing to improve air quality in London. I would like to thank Mayor Johnson particularly for his letter of encouragement and personal demonstration of support for seeking the improvement of the environment and public health.

"Last but not least, I would like to thank many others who, while not being mentioned, have contributed so much to Clean Air in London over some four years and who understand the need for urgent and radical action to ensure full compliance with health-based air quality laws throughout London by the 2012 Olympics."


* Please note that Clean Air in London's individual or other supporters may or may not agree with its stance on every issue.

** A small number of names will be added in due course once confirmed.

Honorary Founder Supporters

Organisations

Campaign for Better Transport
ClientEarth
Environmental Protection UK (formerly the National Society for Clean Air)
Friends of the Earth
London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies

Leading politicians

Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London, Labour
Sian Berry, Green Party candidate for Mayor of London in 2008

The Lord Berkeley, Labour

Mark Field MP, Conservative
The Rt. Hon. Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC MP, Conservative

Jean Lambert MEP, London, Green
Baroness Ludford MEP, London, Liberal Democrat
Claude Moraes MEP, London, Labour
Dr Charles Tannock MEP, London, Conservative

Darren Johnson AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, London Assembly, Green
Jenny Jones AM, Green

Len Duvall AM, Leader of the Labour Group, London Assembly
Jennette Arnold AM, Labour
Nicky Gavron AM, Labour
Joanne McCartney AM, Labour
Murad Qureshi AM, Labour
Navin Shah AM, Labour

Mike Tuffrey AM, Liberal Democrat, London Assembly
Lady Doocey AM, Liberal Democrat
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, London Assembly

Councillor Paul Braithwaite, Camden, Liberal Democrat
Councillor Tony Devenish, City of Westminster, Conservative
Councillor Dr Iain Hanham, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Conservative
Councillor Quentin Marshall, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Conservative
Councillor Rachael Robathan, City of Westminster, Conservative
Councillor Philippa Roe, City of Westminster, Conservative

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