Overview

The Clean Air (No. 3) Bill aims to improve air quality in the UK by establishing a legal right to clean air, setting ambitious air quality targets, creating a National Clean Air Agency, and phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. The bill also addresses various sources of air pollution, including vehicles, industry, and maritime and air transport, and sets out measures to improve indoor air quality.

Description

This bill introduces a legal right to clean air, enforceable against public authorities. It mandates the setting of national air quality targets, aligned with World Health Organization recommendations by 2030, and the regular reporting of progress. A new National Clean Air Agency will be established to monitor and enforce these targets.

The bill prohibits the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 onwards, and strengthens vehicle emissions testing, making it an offence to remove emissions-reducing devices. Local authorities will be empowered to implement various measures, including creating low-emission zones and improving air pollution monitoring. The bill also addresses maritime and airport air pollution, requiring the use of emissions-reducing technologies and setting limits on emissions.

Furthermore, the bill addresses indoor air quality by requiring a government report and the establishment of a cross-government task force. It also mandates minimum ventilation standards for new buildings and reviews the use of substances emitting volatile organic compounds in construction. The bill includes provisions for a fiscal strategy review to incentivize sustainable transport.

Government Spending

The bill will likely lead to increased government spending in several areas, including the establishment and operation of the National Clean Air Agency, funding for research and development into hydrogen fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure, implementation of local authority air pollution measures, and potential costs associated with vehicle scrappage schemes. Exact figures are not provided in the bill.

Groups Affected

• Vehicle manufacturers and sellers: Will be affected by the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030.
• Vehicle owners: May face increased costs associated with emissions testing and potential scrappage schemes.
• Local authorities: Will have increased responsibilities for air quality monitoring, planning, and enforcement.
• Ports and airports: Will face new regulations on emissions and may need to invest in infrastructure for electric vehicles and ships.
• The construction industry: Will be affected by new building regulations on ventilation and the review of volatile organic compounds.
• The public: Will benefit from improved air quality and a legal right to clean air.

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