7Taking action forward
85.This report has identified areas for action in both the short and longer term if air quality is to be improved to the benefit of health and the environment. The key agents for delivering this action include:
- Local government: local authorities are best placed to develop plans that meet local needs, provided they have the right support and the Government trusts communities with the necessary levers to take meaningful action. A ‘one size fits all’ approach will not deliver pollution reductions in city hot-spots as effectively as a range of powers and duties which can be applied flexibly. In return for these freedoms councils must work closely with their communities, including NGOs, and be transparent in the outcomes;
- Private sector: industry is central to delivering the technological solutions to make air pollution a problem of the past. The automotive sector, which generates revenues of £60 billion in the UK each year, is a key investor in developing cleaner vehicles.139 It must both respond to regulation and work pro-actively to minimise emissions if governments are to trust the sector and consumers are to have confidence to buy its products. National and EU institutions enforce emissions rules but where companies such as Volkswagen have breached trust the onus is on these companies to prove their products live up to their claims. Farmers must play their part in cutting emissions, in particular of ammonia and methane.
- National government: Defra has the lead role in setting out a clear, overarching air quality strategy; the Cabinet Office is pivotal in linking together action by all government departments to achieve its aims. HM Treasury is key to the Government developing effective means of calculating environmental and social costs and benefits of policies and ensuring these are borne fairly and in such a way as to drive the most sustainable approaches. Departments, in particular the Departments for Communities and Local Government, for Transport, and of Energy and Climate Change are responsible for supporting local authorities by devolving the right powers, flexibilities and funding. Transport and Environment Ministers must work in Brussels to ensure regulations spur the automotive and other industries to deliver the fastest technological improvements to cut emissions.
The table below summarises our key recommendations with timescales for government action:
|
ACTION |
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT |
TIMESCALE |
|
Chapter 2: Strategy for improving air quality |
||
|
1. Report actions planned to join up Government air quality action in 2016–17. (para 9) |
Cabinet Office |
Rise of House for summer recess–21 July 2016 |
|
2. Publish comprehensive strategy for improving air quality. (para 14) |
Defra |
31 December 2016 |
|
3. Annual report to Parliament on progress against air quality strategy. (para 14) |
Defra |
Annually (by 31 December) |
|
4. Develop practical tools for policy-makers to evaluate costs and benefits of air quality proposals. Publish the reasoning behind these tools. (para 18) |
Defra |
As soon as possible after relevant Natural Capital Committee outcomes are published |
|
Chapter 3: Defra’s nitrogen dioxide plans |
||
|
5. Consult on and publish revised proposals for Clean Air Zones addressing concerns in this report including flexibility for council implementation and extension of charging powers to other cities. (para 35) |
Defra |
21 July 2016 |
|
6. Publish proposals to make it easier for local authorities to use traffic movement and development controls. (para 35) |
Defra |
21 July 2106 |
|
7. Recompense councils for costs of implementing Clean Air Zones, preserve sustainable transport funding. (para 40) |
Defra |
Ongoing |
|
Chapter 4: Vehicle emissions testing |
||
|
8. Negotiate tougher EU vehicle emissions limits. (para 46) |
Department for Transport, Defra |
Ongoing ahead of future EU revisions |
|
9. Publish an analysis of Euro 6 emissions standards’ impact on UK air quality. (para 49) |
Defra |
31 December 2016 |
|
10. Publish an analysis of EU real-world driving emissions tests on UK air quality. (para 49) |
Defra |
31 December 2018 |
|
11. Assess rigour of consumer protection system over vehicle manufacturers’ emissions claims and act on outcomes of EU and Volkswagen reviews. (para 53) |
UK Government (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Department for Transport, Defra) |
Ongoing and in response to EU review findings expected early 2017 and Volkswagen internal review expected spring 2016 |
|
Chapter 5: New road transport technologies |
||
|
12. Undertake study of potential for a diesel scrappage scheme. (para 60) |
HM Treasury |
Study completed by 30 September 2016, measures to be included in next Budget. |
|
13. Commission assessment of policy or research gaps in particulate emissions from vehicle brake and tyre wear. (para 64) |
Department for Transport, Defra |
21 July 2016 |
|
Chapter 6: Tackling air pollution from agriculture |
||
|
14. Survey with National Farmers’ Union approaches to minimise farm air pollution, report to Committee on use of the information to improve best practice. (para 78) |
Defra |
31 December 2016 |
|
15. Publish plans for better use of CAP funds for air quality improvement. (para 80) |
Defra |
September 2016 |
|
16. Roll out programme to support best practice in farm methane emission reduction |
Defra |
31 December 2016 |
86.We expect Defra’s forthcoming Clean Air Zone legislation and wider policies to reflect this report’s recommendations so as to best improve air quality to the benefit of the nation’s health and environment.
139 UK Trade and Investment, Automotive industry in the UK: investment opportunities web guidance, accessed 11 April 2016
© Parliamentary copyright 2015
25 April 2016