2021 Air Pollution Ambitions Must be Renewed
Gareth Brown, Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, writes about the clean air milestones in 2021 and why the Scottish Parliament should take on board the calls from a coalition of charities, academics and researchers to look at progress on tackling air pollution in Scotland.
Last year’s successes
Last year was a monumental year for raising the profile of air pollution and the impact it has on the nation’s lung health.
Glasgow hosted the United National Climate Change Conference (COP26) and we at Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation spoke with thousands of visitors to get people talking about air pollution and the links between air pollution and climate change.
The Scottish Government also published its new strategy ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland 2’ and Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation will work with the government to ensure that this properly addresses the health impacts of air pollution.
The big four cities in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee) all launched their consultations on their proposals for Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) and we responded to each calling for the LEZs to be introduced as soon as possible.
This year we need action
This year, we will continue to pressure the Scottish Government and local authorities into taking action to deliver cleaner air to allow children and young people the chance to properly develop their lungs, to prevent new lung diseases caused by dirty air and to protect the lungs of those living with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions.
The full implementation of LEZs this year will be key. With the council elections coming across Scotland in May, we’re worried the LEZ’s will get forgotten or further disrupted. Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland will continue to call for LEZs to be expanded to other cities and large towns across Scotland to protect the lung health of more people across the country.
Recent announcements
In the last few weeks, the Scottish Government has set out its ambitions to reduce car kilometres by 20% between 2022 and 2030. However ultimately to get people out of their cars, there must be a better public transport system that is integrated, efficient and affordable. As well as proper investment in active travel to get more people cycling or walking.
Despite the milestones and events of 2021, there is more that can be done to raise awareness of air pollution and the health impacts. That is why Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland has organised a coalition of charities to support a call for the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee to hold a short inquiry or roundtable discussion into air quality in Scotland.
Scotland’s air quality has improved in recent decades, but we know there are no safe levels of air pollution. Whilst Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 sets out an ambition to give Scotland the best air quality in Europe, we are unconvinced that Scotland is investing enough to achieve its ambitions.
Thanks to the following charities, research groups and academics for agreeing to sign our letter:
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
British Heart Foundation Scotland
Living Streets Scotland
Sustrans Scotland
Glasgow Centre for Population Health
Alzheimer Scotland
Dr Heather Price (UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion for Scotland)
Dr Tom Fardon (Clinical Lead for the Scottish Respiratory Advisory Group)
Professor James D Chalmers (British Lung Foundation Chair of Respiratory Research)
Join our campaign
You can support our campaign by contacting the Scottish Government and calling for urgent action to tackle air pollution in Scotland.
We empower people with asthma to make changes that can be transformative.
Please donate now to help make sure people with asthma can live well this year.