Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Acknowledged
Existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings...
Conclusion
Existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings (Figure 1). Defra told us that Government will soon publish a draft national air pollution control plan to set out policies and measures designed to bring the UK into compliance for 2030. It told us that these plans will build on existing programmes of continuous improvement, such as environmental permitting and work with industry around industrial emissions. Defra told us that building on these existing bodies of work gives some assurance over the feasibility of its proposed measures, but that it also intends to use a consultation period to further test the plans ahead of publication in September.58 53 Q 32 54 LAQ0003 55 LAQ0004 56 Q 40 57 Qq 55, 60 58 Q 2 Tackling local breaches of air quality Part One 23 1.13 Existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings and government is developing plans for the new policies needed (Figure 4). Projections submitted to the EU in 2019 indicated that targets would be missed, but did not include (as required by the EU) a full modelled scenario showing how compliance with all of the emission reduction commitments could be achieved. Government plans to publish an update to the UK’s National Air Pollution Control Programme in September 2022, in which it expects to outline in detail the measures required to achieve its emissions ceilings. Defra told u sT tahactk tlhienreg alroe cteaclh aniicra ql aunad lity breaches 15 behavioural challenges to reducing emissions of particulate matter, including because of the potential impact of increased energy prices on domestic wood-burning. Figure 4 Figure 1: UK UpKr porjoejecctteedd e memissiiosnssi oconms pcaoremd tpo aermeisdsi otnos ceemilinigsss iino 2n0s3 0ceilings in 2030 The latest government projections show that existing policy measures are insufficient for the UK to achieve most of its 2030 emissions ceilings Emissions (kt) 700 600 500 400 300 20
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that existing policy measures are insufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings and that they consulted on a revised National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) which includes robust actionable measures for further consideration to deliver compliance with the 2030 targets for all air pollutants.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6. PAC conclusion: There is a lot resting on the updated plan that government expects to publish if 2030 air quality targets are to be met. 6. PAC recommendation: The government must ensure that the plan it publishes includes robust, actionable measures that will result in compliance with the 2030 targets for all air pollutants, and ensure it has strong governance arrangements to monitor progress against its plan and take decisive action if progress falls behind expectations. 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Recommendation implemented 6.2 The government has consulted on a revised National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) which includes robust actionable measures for further consideration to deliver compliance with the 2030 targets for all air pollutants. Responses to the consultation are currently being carefully considered. Strong governance arrangements regarding Air Quality policies are already in place. 6.3 The draft revised NAPCP outlines a list of wide-ranging policies and measures to be considered further to drive emission reductions across several sectors including domestic combustion, industry, agriculture and transport. The policies and measures which could be considered further included those from HM Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The department also worked closely with other government departments (OGDs) when preparing the draft revised NAPCP, specifically DfT and BEIS whose areas of responsibilities have an impact on air quality. 6.4 Progress against the NAPCP is monitored monthly using an internal management system called Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). Progress reports are then subject to robust governance through the Air Quality Programme Board with escalation to Environmental Quality Portfolio Board. Wider oversight of the NAPCP programme is also aided by two key existing governance groups. The Air Quality Common Framework, which brings together officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland, Welsh Government and Scottish Government. Separately there is the Cross Whitehall Group which brings together officials from several different UK government departments, including Defra, DfT, BEIS, and others.