More speakers for National Air Quality Conference

Delegates from China among those set to hear top policy, science and industry experts at airqualitynews.com conference on November 26

More top policy and science experts from across government and industry have been confirmed to speak at the forthcoming National Air Quality Conference in London on November 26.

Hosted by airqualitynews.com, the conference will give delegates the opportunity to discuss the latest developments, exchange information and learn from best practice in the field of air quality measurement and management at both a national and local level.

The first National Air Quality Conference will take place on November 26 2014 in London

And, although the day-long programme focuses largely on the UK and Europe, the conference will also take on an international flavour with several delegates from the Chinese government also confirmed for the event.

As well as previously confirmed speakers from the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), Public Health England, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London (TfL), head of national and local air quality management at Defra — Dr James Cooper — will update delegates on the government’s air quality policy and the Clean Air Act.

Furthermore, with the event taking place less than a week after the Court of Justice of the European Union is set to pass judgment on a case against the UK government over nitrogen dioxide levels (see airqualitynews.com story), ClientEarth lawyer Alan Andrews will also give his thoughts on the long-running legal action and what it will take for the UK to meet EU targets.

Also announced for the event is Mercedes-Benz head of engineering Nick Blake, who will provide an overview of the firm’s work on tackling road traffic emissions and engine efficiency.

Local

At a more local level, meanwhile, Oxford city council’s environmental policy team leader, Mai Jarvis, will give delegates an update on the early impacts of the low emission zone introduced in the city earlier this year.

With Boris Johnson’s plans for an ultra low emission zone in London currently up for consultation, chair of the transport and environment committee at London Councils, councillor Julian Bell, will also be giving his thoughts at the conference.

Roger Barrowcliffe, chair of the IAQM — who is speaking during the morning session of the event — said: “Despite many successes over the years in improving aspects of our air quality, we are still faced with some serious air quality problems in our towns and cities that will require all of us to take action if they are to be solved.  Exchanging ideas and working together is a good place to start in tackling these problems and this conference will bring together many of the people who can make a difference.  Your participation in the discussion will be very welcome.  Please do come and join in this important conversation.”

Also speaking at the event, Sam Longman, policy manager at Transport for London, said: “London, along with many other European cities, is failing to meet legal limits for air pollution. A lot of progress has been made, but much more action is needed. As set out in TfL’s recently published Transport Emissions Roadmap, no one body or group is responsible and everyone must play their part. This forthcoming Air Quality Conference is an opportunity to discuss the challenges, as well as the opportunities, associated with improving London’s air quality.”

Conference highlights include:

• Government update on air quality policy and the Clean Air Act — Dr James Cooper, head of national and local air quality, Defra
• European court action: what does the UK need to do to meet air quality targets? — Alan Andrews, air quality lawyer, ClientEarth
• Tackling emissions through engine efficiency and other developments — Nick Black, head of engineering, Mercedes-Benz
• Working with local authorities and communities — councillor Julian Bell, chair of transport and environment committee, London Councils
• Air quality policy and practice in London — Elliot Treharne, air quality manager, Greater London Authority
• Air quality in the UK: setting the scene — Roger Barrowcliffe, Chairman, Institute for Air Quality Management (IAQM)
• Transport emissions roadmap: tackling air quality issues in the capital — Sam Longman, policy manager, Transport for London

The event is being hosted in central London at 15 Hatfields, Chadwick Court, near Waterloo, Waterloo East and Blackfriars stations. To find out more and register for a place at the conference, visit the event website.