Scottish Parliament launches Air Pollution inquiry

Reacting to news that the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee are launching an inquiry into air pollution, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“Air pollution in Scotland is a national disgrace, with thousands of people dying, a billion pound cost to the economy and health targets that should have been met years ago. Fifty years ago pollution was mainly from factories, but now by far the largest source of air pollution problems is traffic in our urban areas.

“It is excellent news that the ECCLR Committee will be looking in detail at how Scotland can do more to tackle air pollution. This inquiry is very timely since the UK and Scottish Government will be challenged again this week in the High Court over the weakness of their clean air plans. From transport spending priorities, roads and public transport, walking and cycling to how we design our cities there are many areas that the Committee can get its teeth into.

“The Scottish Government has promised a Low Emission Zone by the end of next year and Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow are all keen to have the first of these Zones. The government is committed to the first one but the Committee can help get clarity on exactly how this will be delivered and on the process for other areas to get the next zones. ”

“Air pollution endangers the most vulnerable in our society – the young, the elderly and those with existing health problems. Toxic air has been linked with heart attacks, strokes, cancers, and even mothers giving birth to babies prematurely and with reduced birthweights.

“Tackling air pollution by getting cars off the roads will deliver huge co-benefits in terms of reducing climate emissions. Transport recently became the single biggest source of greenhouse gases in Scotland, with figures still stuck around 1990 levels.”

ENDS