A huge win for clean air in Wales

Joseph, Head of Asthma and Lung UK Wales, takes us through the new Clean Air Bill and changes recently made in Wales that show progress towards clean air.

It’s over a year since the Welsh General Election, where every party promised to pass a Clean Air Act if they were elected. Yet it took over a year for the newly elected First Minister to unveil plans for tackling air pollution.

On the 5th of July this year, the First Minister unveiled his plans for the coming year in his legislative statement (the Welsh version of the Queen’s speech to open parliament) and he has promised a Clean Air Bill will be introduced in 2022/23.

What does this new bill mean for our health?

When we look back, we will see this Clean Air Bill as a truly historic moment. The Welsh Government have listened to us and brought this bill forward.

No longer will air pollution be the silent killer, because we will have legislation and strict air quality limits which can be enforced, and that is something to celebrate. It’s a huge win for Welsh lungs!

If implemented well, this new bill can save lives and protect children’s developing lungs. Less pollution will help reduce people developing new lung conditions and stop worsening existing ones.

How are we getting your voices heard?

Back in 2017 we established Healthy Air Cymru, a coalition of health and environmental organisations committed to raising awareness of the dangers of air pollution and the need to act.

Through this coalition we have campaigned for a Clean Air Act to enshrine WHO air pollution limits into Welsh law, roll out Clean Air Zones, reform local air pollution monitoring and tackle domestic burning.

We want the new law to give everyone the right to breathe clean air and we will make sure this happens by working with the government on their legislation and by representing the voices of people with lung conditions. Find out how you can influence this here.

What are the plans and how are they going to implement it?

• Introduce an air quality target framework, which accounts for the latest scientific evidence and international standards including latest WHO air quality guidance.

• Enhance Wales’ national monitoring and assessment capabilities to support targeted action to reduce air pollution.

• Reform local air pollution monitoring

• Enable the implementation of Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones where they are needed.

• Tackle idling vehicles, including outside schools and healthcare settings, and increase the penalties they can apply.

• Enable Local Authorities to better manage and enforce unlawful burning of unauthorised fuels through strengthened smoke control powers.

• A duty for non-statutory workforce guidance for public and private organisations across sectors to help them and their employees understand and mitigate the risks of air pollution, so we can encourage positive behaviour change. I.e., travel incentives.

What happens next?

It takes time for a bill to become law. We hope for as quick a turnaround as possible, but we are at least looking in the right direction now.

Together with other Healthy Air Cymru organisations, we will work with Welsh Government to help draft the Clean Air Bill and accompanying regulations. We will continue to brief MSs from all parties to keep air pollution on the agenda, so that when the Bill is introduced to the Senedd, we can get the strongest possible legislation passed.