Government must include WHO air quality limits in Environment Bill

The government must include World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality limits in the Environment Bill, says the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). 

The Environment Bill, which has been delayed multiple times, was finally brought back to the House of Commons for its Report Stage and Third Reading on Wednesday.

The government has tabled new amendments to the Bill, including a new peat action plan. However, a string of additional amendments from opposition parties were voted down.

As a member of the Healthy Air Campaign coalition of charities, CIEH has been campaigning for the government to tackle the growing issue of air pollution across the country.

Julie Barratt, CIEH President, said: ‘We are happy to see the Environment Bill being finally brought back to Parliament.

‘With COP26 just around the corner, it is a vital piece of legislation and must be used to showcase the UK’s firm commitment to safeguarding and improving our environment into the future.

‘As such, we have been calling on the Government to commit to World Health Organisation targets for reducing air pollution. We are deeply disappointed that this has not yet been done.

‘The Government has a second chance when the Bill moves to the House of Lords and we will be calling on peers from across the political spectrum to raise the essential issue of air pollution.

‘The recent coroner’s report attributing the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah partially to air pollution should be a wake-up call. Action has to be taken.

‘We cannot afford to miss this opportunity.’