Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP since 1999, has lent her full support to a campaign to ensure London meets air quality laws in time for to 2012 Olympics. She will join ClientEarth, an environmental law and policy organisation, and other campaigners at City Hall this morning for the launch of CleanAir for London.
The campaign is being launched three years from the day when the London Olympics will commence, and it aims to compel the UK authorities to tackle the issue of air quality fully. The UK is already facing unlimited fines for breaching European law on this issue.
London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. [1]
There are around 3,000 air pollution deaths in London every year. [2] By comparison, workplace-related passive smoking contributed to 617 deaths per year across the UK prior to the smoking ban. [3] National air pollution healthcare costs reach £21 billion annually. [4]
Speaking ahead of the launch, Jean Lambert MEP said:
"Air pollution is an invisible killer, responsible for the early deaths of thousands of people in London every year. For far too many years the government has failed to take the necessary action to reduce the danger to human health, and vulnerable residents with existing breathing problems have particularly suffered."
"Along with my Green colleagues on the London Assembly, I have consistently fought for higher air quality standards. Now, despite EU legislation coming into force four years ago, the UK is still exceeding pollutant limits on a daily basis. I have called on the Commission to press ahead with legal proceedings against the UK if they continue to disregard their obligations to meet the agreed targets as this situation is unacceptable."
"Too much time has already been wasted: what we need now is concerted action to reduce vehicle emissions as well as reduce the overall amount of traffic on our roads, in part by improving walking and cycling networks and facilities."
"I wholeheartedly welcome the launch of ClientEarth’s campaign and will continue to work to achieve genuine political action and radical results on the ground to improve London’s environment. When we welcome the Olympics to London in 2012 health will be high on the agenda. Cleaning up the air in our capital is one of the best ways the government can play its part to improve the wellbeing of all Londoners."
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Background to CleanAir for London
Since 2005, the UK government has failed to meet legally binding targets to reduce dangerous airborne particles (known as limit values for PM10). Late last year the government missed a further deadline, and it only recently applied for a time extension on PM10. It aims to avoid fines and win more time to address a pressing problem that should have been prioritised years ago. To demonstrate its resolve to protect public health, the European Commission (EC) has launched infringement action over the initial legal breach.
ClientEarth is taking legal action to compel the government to comply with its air quality obligations. ClientEarth has today written to the European Commission urging it to reject the government’s request for a time extension on PM10 in London. Without a delayed deadline the government will have to take decisive action now, rather than put off its obligations while more Londoners suffer the health effects of poor air quality.
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Notes to Editors
– Jean Lambert MEP is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.
1. "Every Breath You Take" London Assembly report into London Air Quality – published May 2009.
2. 650 premature deaths per 1 million people
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/spatial-assessment-of-pm10-and-ozoneconcentrations-in-europe-2005-1. Based on the proportion of 4,469,400 people aged over 30 in Greater London in 2007 this would equate to 2,905 deaths from PM10. This figure assumes that Londoners are exposed to no more than UK national average levels of air pollution.
3. Jamrozik, K. Estimate of deaths attributable to passive smoking among UK adults: database analysis, BMJ – published 1 March 2005.
4. Cabinet Office (2007) National Enforcement Priorities for Local Authority Regulatory Services.