Air pollution in the capital may have contributed to the deaths of an estimated 3,000 people in one year (1), but bold action from the Mayor could dramatically improve the air we breathe, a London Assembly report today reveals.
The Assembly Environment Committee report says London’s air quality – amongst the worst in the UK and Europe and well below targets set by the European Union – is having a severe and costly impact on the National Health Service.
Government figures (2) estimate air quality-related health costs for the UK to be up to £20billion a year. Emissions mainly from diesel vehicles contribute to a range of health problems, from coughing and sneezing to more serious illnesses requiring hospital admissions, and even death. Children and the elderly are worst affected.
Darren Johnson AM, Chair of the Environment Committee said: "London’s air pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Despite action at borough, regional and national level, the capital is still failing to meet air quality targets. Reducing air pollution is not just about improving the environment in some abstract way. Our report shows that it’s about saving lives."
During the investigation, experts and academics questioned whether the Mayor’s policies will improve London’s air quality and if they will be sufficient to meet the EU targets.
To address this, the Committee calls on the Mayor to set out detailed projections of the costings, timings and impacts of policies contained in his forthcoming air quality strategy. Drawing on a broad base of submissions and successes in other European cities, the report recommends actions the Mayor can take to improve air quality and protect Londoners’ health:
* Road traffic remains the largest source of air pollution, so the Mayor should reduce the older diesel fleet, fit particulate filters to reduce emissions by up to 90 percent, and investigate using biofuel for all public transport.
* Different technological solutions, including targeted low emission zones in central London and electronic information panels in public areas that relay real time pollution levels should give Londoners more information about air pollution levels in their area and enable the Mayor to monitor progress against legal targets.
* The Mayor and the GLA should work closely with both central government and London boroughs, acting as a co-ordinator to drive forward the necessary policies.
* More should be done to encourage walking and cycling around the capital to reduce vehicle emissions.
Darren Johnson AM said: "There is no single solution to achieving clean air and while all levels of government, from local to European must play a part, the Mayor’s policies to tackle air pollution needs to be at the heart of improving the air Londoners breathe."
Notes to Editors:
1. Estimation based on UK deaths from PM10 in 2005 – www.eea.europa.eu. Other estimations have included figures from the Environment Agency stating that in London, air pollution has contributed to just over 1,000 premature deaths. www.environment-agency.gov.uk
2. Defra’s Local Air Quality Management, Policy Guidance (OG09), February 2009
3. The EU has launched infringement action against the UK government for failure to meet air quality targets.
4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.