Air Quality/Transport and Low Emissions: The National Perspective

1. Air Quality/Transport and Low Emissions: The National Perspective Care4Air 2009 Robert Vaughan National and Local Air Quality Defra 17 September 2009

2. Overview Is air quality improving? Meeting NO2 limits National and local Action Low emission cities the way forward? Transport, air quality and carbon

3. Is Air Quality Improving? Particulate matter • Urban background particulate levels averaged 19 micrograms per cubic metre (μg m-3) in 2008 compared to 22 μg m-3 in 2007. • Overall decreasing trend since 1993. • Roadside particulate levels averaged 26 μg m-3 in 2008 compared to 27 μg m-3 in 2007. • A general downward trend since 1997, although decline has slowed since 2001 and has been subject to increased fluctuation. Nitrogen Dioxide • Meeting limit value over nearly all UK land area and population; and • at 65.50% of UK urban road network

4. Euro Standards for HGVs Vehicle Emission standards have improved since 1992 Improvements will continue to 2015 and beyond

5. Annual average concentration(µg m-3) for NO2 and PM10 Monitored Modelled Time

6. Climate Change: Opportunities and risks Air Quality Good Climate Change Bad Climate Change Good Air Quality Bad

7. Air Quality is improving but... • Reductions appear to be plateauing, • Particulates have no safe limit and further progress is needed on fine particles (PM2.5) • Reduced emissions not consistently leading to reduced levels at roadsides • Still exceeding NO2 annual limit value alongside major roads in many towns and cities • UK and other major Member States need more time to meet NO2LV • Climate change is presenting new challenges: diesel, biomass

8. Meeting the NO2 limit value Directive 2008/50/EC adopted June 2008 allows Member States to seek more time to meet NO2 limit value deadlines Most major member states are expected to apply for NO2 extension Must submit details of measures taken and planned to meet limit value and where necessary detail further measures that will be taken to meet limit value UK considering national measures and will work with local authorities to review evidence and action plans Likely to consult on application early 2010 and apply Summer 2010

9. National and Local Action on Air Quality • National • National Measures to incentivise vehicle improvement • Defra/LA Air Quality Summit – lead by Ministers and LGA • Consultation on action to meet NO2 limit value by 2015 • Use measures in focused way eg • significant sources of emissions eg HGVs/bus fleets in target areas, • key urban areas – ~ 70% of exceedences in 6 urban areas • Local • Consult local authorities to confirm the national picture and review action plans and further measures • Review Local Air Quality Mgmt and action planning • Bring together synergies from transport planning, land use planning and Climate Change • Low emissions strategies encompassing technology, planning and behaviour.

10. Low Emission Cities and regions Freight mgt Urban planning Construction mgmt Bus partnership Transport planning Low emission Vehicles Community engagement NI 194

11. Contact details

12. Air Quality and Transport Iain Forbes Department for Transport

13. DfT is committed to delivering a sustainable transport system DfT policies have had a significant impact on vehicle pollutant emissions DfT is keen to integrate air quality with wider transport policy and planning

14. DfT is committed to delivering a sustainable transport system

15. DfT’s policies have had a significant impact on vehicle pollutant emissions

16. DfT is keen to integrate air quality with wider transport policy and planning

17. Iain Forbes Environment Policy and Delivery Head of Air Quality Strategy Branch Zone 1/33 Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DR Tel: +44 (0)20 7944 6301 Fax: +44 (0)20 7944 2512 iain.forbes@dft.gsi.gov.uk