Air pollution in our biggest cities is much worse than most of us have realised. It averages well over twice World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and legal limits near many of London’s busiest roads. Mayor Johnson has estimated some 4,300 premature deaths in London in 2008 were attributable to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles alone.
Clean Air in London’s Mission is to achieve urgently and sustainably full compliance with WHO guidelines for air quality throughout London and elsewhere. It works closely with other campaign groups and a wider network of supporters and volunteers to identify and build understanding of the most important issues and encourage decisive action on them.
Clean Air in London’s immediate priority is to see that air quality laws are enforced rigorously in London in 2013 (and thereafter). Clean Air in London believes that if we comply fully with relevant laws Britain can show the world how to tackle successfully air quality, climate change and sustainability issues.
Clean Air in London is a not-for-profit organisation funded by donations, sponsors and other supporters. It is not a charity in part because a registered charity is not allowed to have political objectives or take part in political lobbying (other than in a generally educational sense). Clean Air in London may wish to participate in such activities.
Clean Air in London is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, with company number 7413769 and registered office address 1st Floor, James House, Mere Park, Dedmere Road, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1FJ
Clean Air in London’s Articles
An article by Simon Birkett about the story and vision of ‘Clean Air in London‘ was published in a special edition of ‘environmental SCIENTIST’, the Journal of the Institution of Environmental Sciences, titled ‘Air Quality – should we have achieved more?’ in April 2013
Awards, recognition and roles
Awards
Simon Birkett has been presented with the London 2012 Sustainability Ambassadors Award for his outstanding contribution to achieving a truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games in particular for his focused commitment to tackling air quality, climate change and sustainability issues. Note: no conditions were attached to this award or services provided.
London 2012 Sustainability Ambassadors Award
Campaign for Clean Air in London won the City of London Corporation’s inaugural Sustainable City Award presented for Outstanding Contributions to Enhancing Air Quality 2010/2011 on 3 February 2011
Recognition
Simon Birkett was profiled by the Guardian on 22 February 2011. See: ‘Former banker’s pollution fight a breath of fresh air‘
Simon Birkett was chosen as one of six international individuals of the year by the Guardian on 27 December 2010. See: ‘2010 – The environment year in review‘
Simon Birkett was profiled as a Campaign Hero by The Ecologist on 15 November 2010
Roles
Simon Birkett was elected a founder member of the Executive Council of the European Chapter of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in February 2013
Simon Birkett assisted Policy Exchange with its report ‘Something in the Air: The forgotten crisis of Britain’s poor air quality‘ published on 19 July 2012
Simon Birkett has been a Science and Policy Adviser to ClientEarth since July 2009
Simon Birkett has been a member of Environmental Protection UK’s Air Quality Committee since [2009]
Campaign for Clean Air in London was a member of Defra’s Air Quality Forum between January 2008 and February 2012
Sponsors
Camfil Farr in the UK is the first Gold Sponsor of Clean Air in London.
Camfil Farr is also supporting a campaign by Clean Air in London to build public understanding of indoor air quality, initially in London, with advice for people on protecting themselves (adaptation) and reducing pollution for themselves and others (mitigation). Camfil Farr has launched a website called Keep the city out to support this campaign.
Camfil Farr and Clean Air in London agree that clean air is a human right. The sponsorship is based on mutual respect and is backed by an explicit agreement that Clean Air in London can speak without ‘fear or favour’. Camfil Farr has made clear to Clean Air in London its commitment to the banning of smoking in buildings.
As part of this sponsorship Clean Air in London provides a minimum number of days of advisory services to Camfil Farr each year.
Clean Air in London has also provided advisory services to the New West End Company.
Honorary Founder Supporters
Organisations
Environmental Protection UK (formerly the National Society for Clean Air)
London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies
Leading politicians
Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London, Labour
Sian Berry, Green Party candidate for Mayor of London in 2008
Jenny Jones AM, Green Party candidate for Mayor of London in 2012
The Lord Berkeley, Labour
Mark Field MP, Conservative
The Rt. Hon. Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC MP, Conservative
Jean Lambert MEP, London, Green
Baroness Ludford MEP, London, Liberal Democrat
Claude Moraes MEP, London, Conservative
Dr Charles Tannock MEP, London, Conservative
Keith Taylor MEP, South East England, Green (2013)
Darren Johnson AM, Deputy Chair of the Environment Committee, London Assembly, Green
Len Duval AM, Leader of the Labour Group, London Assembly
Jennette Arnold AM, Labour, Chair of the London Assembly
Nicky Gavron AM, Labour
Joanne McCartney AM, Labour
Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, London Assembly, Labour
Navin Shah, AM, Labour
Baroness Doocey, Liberal Democrat
Stephen Knight AM, Liberal Democrat (2012)
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in the London Assembly
Mike Tuffrey, Liberal Democrat
Councillor Paul Braithwaite, Camden, Liberal Democrat
Councillor Tony Devenish, City of Westminster, Conservative
Councillor Quentin Marshall, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Conservative
Councillor Rachael Robathan, City of Westminster, Conservative
Councillor Philippa Roe, Leader, City of Westminster, Conservative
Clean Air in London Awards 2013
The following people have been presented with a Clean Air in London Award 2013 (alpha order):
Bianca Jagger Founder and Chair, The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation
Leading politicians
Caroline Allen Green, Islington
Victoria Borwick AM The Deputy Mayor of London, Conservative
Barry Gardiner MP Ed Miliband’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and the Environment, Labour
Robin Meltzer Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Richmond Park, North Kingston and New Malden
John Tomlinson Chairman of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee,
City of London Corporation
Greater London Authority
Isabel Dedring Deputy Mayor, Transport and Deputy Chair, Transport for London
Elliot Treharne Air Quality Manager
Scientists
Professor Bernard Fisher Former Chair, Institute of Air Quality Management
Dr Fintan Hurley Scientific Director, Institute of Occupational Medicine
Professor Frank Kelly Chair, Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants and Head of the Environmental Research Group, King’s College London
Dr Brian Miller Principal Epidemiologist, Institute of Occupational Medicine
Business people and consultants
Edward Dearnley Consultant
Iarla Kilbane-Dawe Consultant
Steve Moorcroft Director, Air Quality Consultants and Chair, Air Quality Committee, Environmental Protection UK
Simon Pratt Managing Director, Portico. Formerly, Chief Executive, The Knightsbridge Apartments
Local campaigners
Jonathan Callaway Deputy Chairman, The Putney Society
Tim Henderson
Dr Stanislaw Prokop
Caroline Russell Chair, Islington Living Streets
Non-governmental organisations
Louise Duprez European Environmental Bureau
David Kidney Head of Policy, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Tamsin Omond Climate Rush
Anne Stauffer Deputy Director, Health and Environment Alliance
Note: Listed in alphabetical order
CAL 222 Awards 2013_070313 Final V2
Abbreviated accounts for period ended 31 December 2011