Member

A comprehensive legal framework requiring local authorities to take action on air quality already exists. Specifically, local authorities already have statutory duties relating to air quality in their local area, and under national planning policy air quality is a material consideration in planning decisions. The Government are committed to reducing the harmful health and environmental impacts of air pollution and will continue working with local authorities to achieve this. Given that local government statutory duties relating to air quality already exist, and the fact that many local authorities are already taking great strides in tackling the combined issues of environmental decline and climate change impacts, we do not think a statutory duty on local authorities to deliver environmental and air quality targets, climate adaptation and net zero is needed.