Update on UK Air Quality Robert Vaughan, DEFRA

1. Update on UK Air Quality Robert Vaughan, DEFRA

2. Robert Vaughan National and Local Air Quality Management Defra Local Air Quality Update

3. We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests Local Air Quality - Summary • Coalition Agreement – what does it mean for air quality? • Natural Environment Discussion Paper and Localism • Aims • Roles • National and local air quality priorities • Delivering Air Quality Improvements • Focusing on delivery • Governance and shared responsibility

4. We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests Coalition Agreement: Context and meaning for air quality We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests

5. Natural Environment Discussion Document • Natural Environment underpins economy, health and wellbeing • Air quality a key priority – impacts upon health and environment • Optimising air quality and climate change will affect pace of improvement • Big society – greater role for individuals, business, civil societies and local authorities • White Paper Spring 2011

6. Natural Environment and Localism

7. Natural Environment and Localism Atmosphere and Local Environment Programme

8. National and Local air quality priorities

9. Reporting on Progress with NO2

10. Projecting Improvements

11. Reality versus Projections

12. Focusing on delivery

13. Central Government support to local authorities

14. Development of measures will need joint effort • Review Geographical distribution of NO2 exceedences across the UK • Review source apportionment for 2015 • Categorise options according to source and regional/local features • Discuss national and local measures with Local authorities and Responsible Departments to identify best fit of measures to area and sources

15. some steps have already been taken • Budget commitments to • Introduce Reduced Pollution Certificate Scheme for Euro VI when available • Incentivise Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles and support for infrastructure • Considering focused measures to facilitate local action • Targeted technology improvements especially for buses and HGVs (need to achieve minimum of Euro IV standard • Feasibility of Low Emission Zones outside London – what evidence is there for effectiveness of LEZs for NO2? • Link to climate change measures on modal shift and very low carbon vehicles were appropriate • Consult local authorities on exceedences of limit values in their areas and take account of measures in air quality action plans.

16. Assessment and consultation on measures • Determine combination of national and local measures most likely to achieve compliance • Model the impact of these measures on roadside NO2 • Consult on measures to support application and to achieve on-going improvements • Submit application by September 2011

17. We need to look at our delivery and governance arrangements... • National duty to meet EU Limit Values • Defra use national network and models • Local authorities “work towards” UK AQ Objectives • Often use own models and monitoring which may not meet EU siting requirements • Local authorities are often not clear on their crucial role in meeting EU requirements • Outside the UK, the national/local distinction is not understood • We need a streamlined system with shared responsibility

18. ..which will be part of a package to help improve air quality • Clearly articulate the air quality “story” • Re-connect national and local policy and remove distinction between Limit Values and UK objectives • Local authorities need to treated as delivery partners, playing a full part in meeting air quality obligations • Work together to develop the right tools and skills • Be clear about different data streams and status • We all need to raise our game!

19. So what do we need? • Recognise the value, and limits, of local authority action • Low emission strategies and zones • retrofit of HGVs and Buses • integrated action on CO2, PM10 and NO2 • Clear communication with members, business and public • Innovative ways of working and delivery

20. Concluding Remarks • Natural Environment discussion paper and localism - refocus on delivery of air quality improvement • The NO2 compliance problem is spread across the country – but mainly in urban areas especially London • Evidence is getting stronger that Euro standards haven’t delivered NOX reductions from diesel vehicles so far; • We have a joint responsibility to deliver good air quality; local authorities are key but we all need to raise our game! • Delivering good air quality is fundamentally about health, not just legal obligations

21. Update on UK Air Quality Robert Vaughan, DEFRA

22. Robert Vaughan National and Local Air Quality Management Defra Local Air Quality Update

23. We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests Local Air Quality - Summary • Coalition Agreement – what does it mean for air quality? • Natural Environment Discussion Paper and Localism • Aims • Roles • National and local air quality priorities • Delivering Air Quality Improvements • Focusing on delivery • Governance and shared responsibility

24. We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests Coalition Agreement: Context and meaning for air quality We have been busy thinking through the implications of the economic downturn for Defra and its interests

25. Natural Environment Discussion Document • Natural Environment underpins economy, health and wellbeing • Air quality a key priority – impacts upon health and environment • Optimising air quality and climate change will affect pace of improvement • Big society – greater role for individuals, business, civil societies and local authorities • White Paper Spring 2011

26. Natural Environment and Localism

27. Natural Environment and Localism Atmosphere and Local Environment Programme

28. National and Local air quality priorities

29. Reporting on Progress with NO2

30. Projecting Improvements

31. Reality versus Projections

32. Focusing on delivery

33. Central Government support to local authorities

34. Development of measures will need joint effort • Review Geographical distribution of NO2 exceedences across the UK • Review source apportionment for 2015 • Categorise options according to source and regional/local features • Discuss national and local measures with Local authorities and Responsible Departments to identify best fit of measures to area and sources

35. some steps have already been taken • Budget commitments to • Introduce Reduced Pollution Certificate Scheme for Euro VI when available • Incentivise Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles and support for infrastructure • Considering focused measures to facilitate local action • Targeted technology improvements especially for buses and HGVs (need to achieve minimum of Euro IV standard • Feasibility of Low Emission Zones outside London – what evidence is there for effectiveness of LEZs for NO2? • Link to climate change measures on modal shift and very low carbon vehicles were appropriate • Consult local authorities on exceedences of limit values in their areas and take account of measures in air quality action plans.

36. Assessment and consultation on measures • Determine combination of national and local measures most likely to achieve compliance • Model the impact of these measures on roadside NO2 • Consult on measures to support application and to achieve on-going improvements • Submit application by September 2011

37. We need to look at our delivery and governance arrangements... • National duty to meet EU Limit Values • Defra use national network and models • Local authorities “work towards” UK AQ Objectives • Often use own models and monitoring which may not meet EU siting requirements • Local authorities are often not clear on their crucial role in meeting EU requirements • Outside the UK, the national/local distinction is not understood • We need a streamlined system with shared responsibility

38. ..which will be part of a package to help improve air quality • Clearly articulate the air quality “story” • Re-connect national and local policy and remove distinction between Limit Values and UK objectives • Local authorities need to treated as delivery partners, playing a full part in meeting air quality obligations • Work together to develop the right tools and skills • Be clear about different data streams and status • We all need to raise our game!

39. So what do we need? • Recognise the value, and limits, of local authority action • Low emission strategies and zones • retrofit of HGVs and Buses • integrated action on CO2, PM10 and NO2 • Clear communication with members, business and public • Innovative ways of working and delivery

40. Concluding Remarks • Natural Environment discussion paper and localism - refocus on delivery of air quality improvement • The NO2 compliance problem is spread across the country – but mainly in urban areas especially London • Evidence is getting stronger that Euro standards haven’t delivered NOX reductions from diesel vehicles so far; • We have a joint responsibility to deliver good air quality; local authorities are key but we all need to raise our game! • Delivering good air quality is fundamentally about health, not just legal obligations