Government response to The neglected pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health

This is the government's response, published 1 December 2023.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government accepts that cross-government and interdisciplinary approaches matter and describes much of the recommended noise work as under way, but does not agree that formal expert bodies are "necessarily the most effective approach" and says a national noise reduction target is "not feasible" without significant further work.

• On noise evidence, it says "Much of the work recommended for noise is already under way", citing Defra's new noise mapping system, which it intends to make available to all public bodies.
• On light monitoring, it says "major technical and data issues need to be resolved before this can be considered feasible", and that further evidence development "will need to be considered within the context of government priorities".
• On targets and policy statements, it says a noise reduction target is "not feasible" without significant work, and that significant gaps in understanding of artificial light would need to be addressed to inform a Light Policy Statement for England.
• It commits to convene round table events for noise and light, and says it "will consider" whether the remit of existing bodies should be extended to cover noise and/or light. No dates are given.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error