Today in the House of Commons, Munira spoke up on air quality issues.
Citing worryingly high statistics, Munira asked when a comprehensive annual report would be published on air quality across the capital. Transparency is necessary for achieving upcoming emissions targets in London.
One such target includes the Mayor of London’s commitment to bring levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) down within legal pollution limits by 2025. Currently, 2 million Londoners are exposed to illegal levels of air pollution on a daily basis.
Munira said:
“Air pollution is estimated to lead to 40,000 early deaths per year, and here in London in normal circumstances some 2 million people are living with illegal levels of air pollution. So will the Secretary of State please commit today to accepting the Environment Bill Amendment, which would require him to produce an annual report on air quality, which includes the work of public authorities and government departments in tackling air pollution?”
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP, said:
“Well Mr. Speaker, under the Environment Bill we will have an Environment Improvement Plan – a 25-year Environment Plan that we have that addresses issues such as air quality. There will also be a target set for air quality under the Environment Bill.”
Following the exchange, Munira said:
“Government promises for future plans is not good enough for the millions of Londoners living with illegal levels of air pollution on a daily basis.
Whilst long-term plans are a necessary step in achieving better air quality in the future, short-term decisive action should be taken in order to make London safer for everyone.”
Photo credits: Nick Humphries here