Parliamentary.ai

Overview

The Clean Air Bill aims to improve air quality across the UK by establishing a legal right to clean air, setting targets for pollution reduction, and implementing various measures to reduce pollution from different sources, including vehicles, ships, aircraft, and wood-burning stoves. The bill also strengthens the powers of the Office for Environmental Protection to enforce air quality regulations.

Description

This bill introduces a legal right to clean air, making it unlawful for public authorities to act incompatibly with this right. It mandates the setting of targets for reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution, including greenhouse gases, aiming to meet or exceed European Union and World Health Organization standards by 2030. Minimum air quality standards will be set for workplaces, homes, and public spaces.

The bill requires comprehensive air quality monitoring by local authorities and the Environment Agency. A national strategy for reducing air pollution will be published, with annual reports to Parliament on its implementation. The Office for Environmental Protection will receive enhanced powers to enforce air quality legislation.

Significant provisions focus on vehicle emissions, including empowering local authorities to establish low-emission zones and restricting access for vehicles failing Euro 5 standards. The bill proposes a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, and increases penalties for stationary idling offences, especially near schools. Further measures include strategies to reduce transport emissions and encourage active travel. The bill also addresses air pollution from maritime and airport activities and restricts the use of wood-burning stoves in urban areas.

Government Spending

The bill will require government expenditure to fund the implementation of its various provisions. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself, but costs will likely include funding for monitoring, enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and support for the transition to cleaner technologies and transport systems.

Groups Affected

• Public Authorities: Subject to new legal duties and potential liabilities for non-compliance with the right to clean air.
• Local Authorities: Responsible for air quality monitoring, implementing low-emission zones, creating local air quality plans, and potentially enforcing penalties.
• Environment Agency: Given expanded powers to monitor air pollution and implement traffic calming measures.
• Businesses: Potentially affected by regulations on vehicle emissions, maritime and airport pollution, and restrictions on wood-burning stoves.
• Vehicle Owners: May face restrictions on vehicle use in low-emission zones and the eventual phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles.
• Residents: Will benefit from improved air quality but may face restrictions on wood-burning stoves and changes to transport systems.
• Port and Airport Operators: Required to meet new emissions standards and provide electric supply points.