Could new legislation improve air quality for people in Wales?
Our Public Affairs Manager for Wales, Josh James, explains why the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) Bill is so important for Wales.
Last week, Living Streets Cymru welcomed the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill as it was introduced to the Senedd.
But what is the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) Bill, and what does it mean for Wales?
Despite its lengthy title, the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill marks an exciting step forward for air quality in Wales – and many organisations like Living Streets Cymru have been campaigning for a Clean Air Act (as it was previously known) for years.
Air pollution is one of the greatest health and environmental challenges in our time. This bill gives us tools to address pollution including penalising the behaviour that contributes to it, such as vehicle idling and recognises international standards.
Minister for Climate Change Julie James MS says:
“The proposals in the Bill aim to help improve the quality of our air environment at a Wales-wide level, at a local and regional level, and throughout society.”
Living Streets Cymru has been campaigning for this because legislation can help us to monitor and reduce air pollution, which will make our local communities more enjoyable to spend time in, encouraging people to walk more often.
The proposals in the Bill aim to help improve the quality of our air environment at a Wales-wide level, at a local and regional level, and throughout society. - Minister for Climate Change Julie James MS
Living Streets Cymru has worked closely with Healthy Air Cymru, an alliance of organisations that have been calling for a clean air bill to analyse the draft legislation, which is available online to read.
We enthusiastically welcome the bill and the cross-party support for legislation on this matter. However, we are keen to ensure this legislation offers the strongest possible regulation and represents the consensus across the Senedd for cleaner air.
It is vitally important that this legislation gives us, not only the tools to monitor air quality, but also reflects the cross-party ambition to improve it. Living Streets Cymru will be responding to the Climate Change, Transport and Infrastructure Committee consultation on the bill, explaining why we support the bill, but also making a number of recommendations on:
- Including in the legislation, the World Health Organisation guidance on air quality into the process of developing Welsh Government targets.
- The requirement for targets to reflect the target of improving air quality in the government’s clean air strategy.
- A series of next steps for areas identified as failing against air quality targets.
- Clarity on which agency will be tasked with enforcing vehicle idling offences.
By accepting our recommendations, Welsh Government can make clean air a reality, so that everyone in Wales can live happier, healthier lives.
Anyone can respond to the Committee consultation with their thoughts on the bill, by submitting a response using the form on the Senedd website before 28 April 2023.
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