Mayor's backward steps, wish lists for others and failure to tackle air pollution

Mayor has today lost control of his own destiny. It is now up to ClientEarth and the Supreme Court or the European Commission to force action

The Mayor of London has announced today plans for air quality measures in his second term. See:

http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-london-announces-game-changer-air-quality-capital

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, said:

“The Mayor has announced backward steps on his own Phase 5 of the low emission zone (LEZ5) which was only agreed two years ago.

“The Mayor blames the poor performance of diesel vehicles for the delay even though he has known about it for years and other, cheaper, technical solutions are available e.g. the fitting of selective catalytic reduction equipment (SCRT) which can reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen by up to 88% and emissions of particles (PM₁₀) by up to 77% (using the Mayor’s own estimates for buses).

“Worse, today’s announcement amounts to a wish list for others e.g. a repackaging of existing monies that local authorities can apply for and an Ultra Low Emission Zone for the next Mayor to consider.

“London has the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a toxic gas, of any capital city in Europe and up to 9% of all deaths are attributable to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles (PM_2.5). Air pollution is the biggest public health risk after smoking with levels twice or three times legal limits near our busiest roads.

“The Mayor cites cost savings to business from his backward steps on LEZ5 but is silent about the huge costs of air pollution to the public, the health service and business from some of the worst air pollution in Europe.

“The Mayor also claims reductions in tail pipe ‘emissions’ of PM₁₀ and NOx of 15% and 20% respectively. But he has refused an Environmental Information Request from Clean Air in London to substantiate these claims which would anyway be based on computer modelling assumptions. What matters for health and legal compliance are ‘concentrations’, which is the air we breathe, and the latest analysis by Clean Air in London shows the worst sites hardly changing in the last five years and in some cases worsening.

CAL 226 PM10 and NO2 worst monitors 2008 to 2012_120213 V3 PM10 BAD

CAL 226 PM10 and NO2 worst monitors 2008 to 2012_120213 V3 PM10 annual mean

CAL 226 PM10 and NO2 worst monitors 2008 to 2012_120213 V3 NO2 annual mean

“London needs: one or more Ultra Low Emission Zones by 2015; decisive action to eliminate carcinogenic diesel exhaust; and press releases from the Mayor to warn of smog episodes and reduce additional hospital admissions. London is today suffering the second serious smog episode this year.

http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicbulletin.asp

http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicepisodes.asp?region=0

http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=44601

“London should be leading the world in tackling air pollution not lobbying to weaken international air pollution laws and delaying action to reduce the most harmful pollutants.

“The Mayor has today lost control of his own destiny. It is now up to ClientEarth and the Supreme Court or the European Commission to force action.”

ENDS

The Mayor gave a Key note speech at an event titled ‘The Mayor’s Air Quality Fund’ at City Hall on Wednesday 13 February.

The event repeated for London local authority cabinet members an event held for their officers on 25 January. Presentations given on 25 January included:

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_agenda_250113

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_introduction_250113

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_application_guide_250113

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_liz_halstead_250113

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_nick_blades_250113

mayors_air_quality_fund_mtg_iarla_kilbane_dawe_250113

mayors cleaner_air_confere nce_wkshop_1_city_air_220113

mayors MD1121 CAF2 (signed) PDF

mayors MD1121 CAF2 PDF

part1_draft_consolidated_budget_2013_2014