January 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined the way forward for improving and better managing air quality at a local level in England.
Delegates discussed:
- funding priorities and government support
- case studies, best practice and local strategies for tackling transport emissions
- priority settings such as schools, hospitals and care homes, looking at initiatives focused on highly localised air quality improvement
Stakeholders and policymakers looked at initiatives and collaborative structures being implemented in local areas, and what more is needed to improve air quality in public spaces including resources and policy guidance.
It was also an opportunity to discuss key policy developments including the new round of Air Quality Grants for local authorities.
Further sessions examined the way forward for air quality standards, enforcement powers for local authorities, and further measures to tackle pollution from agriculture, industry, road transport, and domestic sources. It comes with the Government considering consultation responses on the upcoming reviewed Draft National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP).
Overall, sessions looked at:
- local strategies: priorities for locally-based action to improve air quality in communities across England
- policy and funding: assessing the current policy landscape, along with grants and other forms of support being offered to local areas - opportunities for funding, investment and sponsorship
- best practice: latest strategies and approaches, both locally and nationally - Clean Air Zones, and supporting the uptake and use of zero emission vehicles
- targeted action: developing and implementing measures to improve air quality near schools, care homes, businesses and communities - driving behavioural change - improving awareness
- active travel: the cycling and walking investment strategy 2 (CWIS2) - encouraging zero emission travel - improving cycling and walking infrastructure - support for retrofit projects
- collaborative structures: best practice in joint working between local authorities, as well as businesses, infrastructure providers, environment and health specialists, and other stakeholders
- monitoring and guidance: building the evidence base - setting and providing guidance for industry and local stakeholders - measuring outcomes
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons, as well as by key policy officials who attended from DAERA, NI; Defra; DfT; Department of Finance, NI; ORR; and the Welsh Government.
