Air campaigners recognised by Clean Air in London

Bianca Jagger among 24 lobbyists, politicians and scientists recognised for their work on air quality in the capital by campaign group

Environmental campaign group Clean Air in London (CAL) has given a number of awards to individuals in recognition of their work to improve air quality in the capital.

Among the 24 recipients of the inaugural 2013 awards announced yesterday (March 11) was Bianca Jagger, chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, who received a special mention from the CAL director Simon Birkett for “helping CAL to reach a much wider audience over the last year”.

Bianca Jagger was given a special mention by Clean Air in London in its 2013 awards

Mr Birkett said of Ms Jagger: “For over three decades she has been a voice for the most vulnerable members of society, campaigning for human rights, civil liberties, peace, social justice and environmental protection throughout the world. Ms Jagger’s advice, encouragement and support for Clean Air in London have made a real difference.”

It was also announced that Green Party MEP for the UK South East region, Keith Taylor, has accepted an invitation from Mr Birkett to become an Honorary Founder Supporter of CAL. Only senior politicians are eligible for this position.

“Keith is playing a key role in championing UK and European air quality during the ‘Year of Air’ in 2013. Mr Taylor joins Jean Lambert MEP (Green), Sarah Ludford MEP (Liberal Democrat), Claude Moraes MEP (Labour) and Charles Tannock MEP (Conservative) and others who have been Honorary Founder Supporters since 2007,” Mr Birkett said.

Notable recipients

Other notable people recognised by CAL include deputy Mayor of London Victoria Borwick, Labour MP Barry Gardiner, City of London councillor John Tomlinson and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park, Robin Meltzer.

Also named in the awards list were Louise Duprez, senior policy officer for air, industrial emissions and noise at the European Environment Bureau (EEB), director of Air Quality Consultants, Steve Moorcroft and Greater London Authority (GLA)’s air quality manager, Elliot Treharne.

King’s College London’s Professor Frank Kelly, who heads the university’s Environmental Research Group, was among the several scientists to receive an award. He also chairs of the government’s committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP).

Local environmental campaigners such as Johnathan Callaway, of charity the Putney Society, and chair of pedestrian campaign group Islington Living Streets, Caroline Russell, were also recipients of a CAL 2013 award.

Mr Birkett said: “It is tremendous to recognise also the contribution of many other people from across the political spectrum and from campaigners to scientists and business leaders.  Individually and collectively, these wonderful people have ensured that air pollution is regaining the attention it deserves.”

He added: “Last but not least, I want to pay tribute to the many existing supporters, sponsors and clients of Clean Air in London who are still making an amazing contribution to the Clean Air in London campaign. In many cases, these individuals and organisations have been involved for nearly seven years.”

Mr Birkett said he would be presenting the awards personally to each of the recipients in the coming weeks. A full list of those recognised by CAL in its 2013 awards is available on the campaign group’s website.

CAL was one of 60 organisations which called for stricter EU air quality legislation in a paper published by the European Environment Bureau last week (see airqualitynews.com story).