Recommendation 4

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

Reducing public health impacts is a primary focus of the process for developing new air quality targets required through the Environment Bill. There is a strong case for taking action on PM2.5 as it is the air pollutant that has the most significant impact on human health. That is why we are introducing a duty to set a target for annual mean levels of PM2.5 in the Bill, and why this target cannot be revoked. In addition, the Bill requires the setting of another air quality target. In the environmental targets policy paper published in 2020, we set out our intention for this second target to focus on reducing average population exposure to PM2.5. These two targets together will improve air quality for everyone and will deliver greater public health benefits than either one alone. By focusing on reducing population exposure in addition to reducing concentrations, action will be driven everywhere, and will not just focus on reducing pollution in areas with elevated levels of pollution (hotspots). This will enable the delivery of health benefits across the country, but importantly will also play a role in enabling locations with hotspots to meet a more ambitious concentration target. We are working with health experts, including the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) to seek their advice, views and recommendations around key aspects of how the targets are developed. As part of this process, we have specifically asked COMEAP for advice on health inequalities and groups which are at risk from air pollution. Advice on air quality targets will be published in due course. In considering what targets will be set, as well as the measures required to meet them, we need to assess the costs and benefits of action across a wide range of sources and sectors. We are working closely with other government departments as part of this work. Achieving targets set through the Bill will require action across multiple government departments. Whilst responsibility for meeting the air quality targets set through the Environment Bill will sit with national government, local authorities will have a role to play in delivering reductions in PM2.5. OEP Both our existing limits and any new targets set under the Environment Bill will fall within the Environment Bill’s definition of “environmental law”—this places them within the remit of the Office for Environmental Protection, meaning they can be enforced by the OEP once it is operational. In contrast to the European Commission, the OEP will be able to carry out enforcement proceedings against all public bodies for suspected breaches of environmental law, including local authorities, rather than just national government. Government Strategy