The Environmental Industries Fee’s Air High quality Taskforce has known as for better readability on the way forward for the Air High quality Grant scheme following the information on 17 April that DEFRA will withhold native council grants for air high quality enchancment initiatives.
After being notified about their profitable Native Air High quality Grant scheme functions solely two months in the past, the choice from DEFRA implies that a number of cash-strapped native authorities could halt their progress on bettering air high quality of their areas till funding is supplied.
EIC mentioned its Air High quality Taskforce had written to the Authorities requesting clarification on why this funding is being withheld after native authorities have frolicked and public cash to undergo the appliance course of, and for reassurance on 2024 funding as forward-thinking native authorities could already be making ready for brand new functions.
That is the primary time that this funding has been allotted after which withheld for the reason that scheme started 27 years in the past. The Taskforce has due to this fact additionally requested for reassurance on the reliability of funding for different priceless air high quality schemes, such because the NO2 Programme for which £883 million has been allotted.
Responding to the withholding of funding, Sarah Horrocks, Chair of EIC’s Air High quality Taskforce and Head of Air High quality and Emissions at AtkinsRéalis, mentioned:
“Pots of funding corresponding to these from DEFRA’s Air High quality Grant scheme are essential for the supply of enhancements to public well being via focused and progressive air high quality initiatives tailor-made to native wants by native authorities.
EIC’s Air High quality Taskforce, which goals to discover the methods through which know-how and innovation may also help society sort out harmful air air pollution, needs to make sure that native leaders have entry to all of the sources they should develop and implement measures which enhance public well being outcomes for folks residing of their areas.
Comprised of technical specialists, devoted professionals, and cutting-edge improvements, the environmental providers sector and EIC members have the data and experience to advise, information, and facilitate the supply of inexperienced development inside our financial system while bettering air high quality.”
