The government’s independent Air Quality Expert Group
(AQEG) has today launched a call for
evidence on modelling fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
concentrations in England.
Advice from scientific experts will be sought on the
insights that modelling of PM2.5 concentrations can
provide. This includes the range of PM2.5 concentrations
that could be expected under different future scenarios,
the main drivers of future PM2.5, differences in population
exposure and the level of uncertainty in modelling results.
Responses to the call for evidence will inform the
modelling process for developing new legally binding air
quality targets that will be set through the Environment
Bill, which is currently passing through the House of
Commons.
The Bill requires the government to set an annual mean
PM2.5 concentration target and long-term air quality
target, with the two targets working in tandem to drive
action to reduce PM2.5 concentrations. In the recently
published targets policy paper it was proposed that this
long-term target is a PM2.5 population exposure reduction
target.
The UK has made significant progress in reducing emissions
of PM2.5, which is the pollutant most damaging to human
health, with a reduction of 78% since 1970.
The AQEG, together with the Committee on the Medical
Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), are providing
independent technical advice to Defra throughout the
development of the air quality targets. The fully
attributed responses will be published when Defra sets out
its proposed targets for public consultation.
These targets will sit alongside our Clean Air Strategy,
the most ambitious air quality strategy in a generation
which aims to reduce air pollution and save lives. The
Strategy includes new and ambitious goals, legislation,
investment and policies which will help us to clean up our
air more quickly and effectively. It has been praised by
the World Health Organization as “an example for the rest
of the world to follow”.
