“Around a third of the UK’s climate emissions are dependent on sectors that are directly shaped or influenced by local authority practice, policy or partnerships. However, the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy is out of date” says Jason Torrance, UK100’s Assistant Chief Executive (and former Clean Air Cities & Policy Director), “and on net zero there is no UK Government coordinated plan to support and enable ambitions and focussed action from the UK’s 398 principal and 11,930 lower tier local councils”.
With public concern over climate change at its highest for three decades and public engagement in Clean Air Zone consultations at record levels, the UK Government and local authorities are coming under increasing pressure to take ambitious urgent action to reduce air pollution, cited by local leaders and Public Health England as a “public health emergency”. As populations continue to grow in city regions, and these city regions continue to face challenges of pollution from road traffic and the burning of wet wood, improving air quality will mean more people, especially children, live healthier lives.
UK100, a network of over 110 local authorities committed to taking ambitious action to secure clean energy and clean air, has been at the forefront of co-ordinated action to advocate for a national approach to tackle air pollution. Following national and international Clean Air Summits, convened in partnership with the Mayor of London and Mayors and city leaders from across the UK, priorities for action have been agreed by local leaders. Within the changing landscape of legislation, policy and delivery of on-the-ground programmes – including CAZs and zero emission transport networks – Jason’s opening keynote presentation at EMISSIONS & AIR QUALITY Smart Class, South 2021 outlined why these priorities must be taken forward if we are to have a healthy and productive future.
If you satisfy our regular delegate qualification criteria but were unable to join us for the live in-person event on June 23rd, CLICK HERE to complete the short “Download form” and we’ll e-mail you a unique link enabling free of charge access to the presentation videos, recordings and slides (including Jason’s keynote).
Those qualifying to receive the rich content from these presentations include: commissioning, procurement, trialling and partnering leads, senior influencers, strategic decision makers and planners from local authorities (e.g. city, borough, metropolitan, district and county councils); public/private transport operators and mobility service providers; sub-regional transport bodies, combined authorities, integrated transport authorities and passenger transport executives; freight and logistics operators; airports and port operators; vehicle manufacturers; energy providers; potential partners from industry (e.g. retail, construction, manufacturing and waste management sectors) and healthcare; DfT, Defra, EA, BEIS, DHSC and supporting national agencies; prime contractors and other buyer side stakeholders.
