To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps to track the Government’s delivery of commitments made in the Clean Air Strategy 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
2 November 2022
Delivery of Clean Air Strategy commitments is tracked through Defra's Air Quality and Industrial Emissions Programme governance. At the most recent review in June 2022, 53 commitments are complete and 75 are underway. Key commitments delivered so far include:
· HM Government has consulted on setting two new targets for fine particulate matter under the Environment Act 2021. Our dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country.
· Through the Environment Act 2021, HM Government has ensured that local authorities have the necessary powers to tackle emissions collaboratively in their local area.
· HM Government has introduced legislation to control the sale of the most polluting solid fuels for domestic burning.
· HM Government has agreed a plan with industry to reduce ammonia emissions from the use of urea fertilisers
· HM Government is working to provide a coherent regulatory framework for the setting, updating, and enforcing of standards for air quality emissions from the full range of industry sectors.
· This includes the United Kingdom's 'best available techniques' regime launched on 30 th August 2022, which will enable regulators and industry to work together to identify and apply up to date, challenging standards.