Local leaders, policymakers and clean air champions from across the UK will gather in London next month to celebrate ten years of local action to improve air quality and shape the future of cleaner, healthier communities.
Breathing Life: A Decade of Local Air Quality Ambition, taking place at the Royal Society of Medicine on 13th July, marks UK100’s tenth anniversary and brings together leading voices from local government, health, energy and national policy. Held in partnership with the Clean Air Fund, UK Power Networks DSO, EMSOL, the National Energy System Operator and The MCS Foundation, the conference will reflect on a decade of progress while looking ahead to the next chapter of local clean air leadership.
Founded on the belief that cross-party local leadership can deliver meaningful action on climate and clean air, UK100 has spent the past decade supporting councils to develop ambitious policies that improve public health, reduce emissions and create more sustainable places. A major new UK100 research report, launched during the conference, will highlight the evidence behind successful local clean air interventions and identify opportunities for future action.
The programme features keynote speeches, expert panel discussions and lightning talks showcasing successful initiatives from across the UK. Delegates will hear from Emma Hardy MP, DEFRA Minister responsible for Air Quality, on the national outlook for clean air, while Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy Mete Coban MBE will reflect on the impact of clean air policies across the capital before chairing a discussion on the findings of UK100’s new report.
Other highlights include a founder’s address from Polly Billington MP, discussions on transport electrification chaired by Pippa Heylings MP, and a panel exploring the public health benefits of cleaner air, chaired by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle.
Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, will also take part in a conversation on the future of climate leadership, while the conference will conclude with a fireside chat featuring Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.
The event closes with a networking reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with local authority leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry partners committed to improving air quality across the UK.
Confirmed speakers
- Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy
- Emma Hardy MP, DEFRA Minister responsible for Air Quality
- Lucy Holdaway, Director, The Local Storytelling Exchange
- Dr Suzanne Bartington, University of Birmingham
- Jemima Hartshorn, Mums for Lungs
- Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Green Party Peer, House of Lords
- Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, Founder, The Ella Roberta Foundation
- Pippa Heylings MP, MP for South Cambridgeshire
- Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive, UK100
- Polly Billington MP, Founder, UK100
- Cllr Tim Mitchell, Westminster City Council
- Cllr Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader, Bath & North East Somerset Council
- Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive, Climate Change Committee
- Tanja Dalle-Muenchmeyer, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- Ryan McLaughlin, Director, Net Zero Strategy, DESNZ
- Bex Shorunke, Campaigner, Healthy Air Coalition
- Martin George, Local Government Chronicle
- Sheryl French, Researcher & author, Breathing Life report
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