Achi news desk-
Entitled the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), the 48 page document details how the council will reduce emissions from road traffic over the next five years.
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The main focus will be on the city center after concerns were raised in the Glasgow Air Quality Annual Progress Report published in September 2023.
Nitrogen dioxide levels were found to be up by around 20 per cent since normal life and business resumed after the pandemic.
The AQAP suggests action is needed because short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including asthma and respiratory infections – with evidence now emerging too of links with other conditions including type 2 diabetes and dementia.
However, council bosses say the new plan will still take a city-wide approach.
Councilor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate and Transport, said: “While Glasgow’s air quality has undoubtedly improved recently, we remain determined to provide more breathable air for the health and wellbeing of our residents and n visitors.
“Our new Air Quality Action Plan focuses on reducing emissions from road traffic as well as reducing air pollution from fossil fuel heating systems.
“We have also expanded the range of wider, air quality actions in the final version of the Plan following a public consultation earlier this year.”
The Plan’s priority actions include:
- A review of air quality monitoring – focusing on schools, hospitals and care homes.
- Continue idling awareness and enforcement campaigns.
- Support the development and implementation of transport strategies that benefit air quality.
- Support the expansion of our active travel network to encourage more people to walk, cycle and cycle.
Glasgow City Council says it will continue to review the plan’s objectives each year, and will liaise with the Scottish Government to assess future developments in the city that could affect air quality.
The Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) was also outlined in the update as important to the city’s aims as they continue to plan a heating network, with heat pumps, and update fabrics used in existing homes to help with efficiency heating.
AQAP Glasgow, approved by the City Administration Committee, will now be presented to the Scottish Government.
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Of course it comes in the middle of a very busy day for the Scottish Government as First Minister Humza Yousaf ends the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.
That was after the target for Net Zero emissions by 2030 was scrapped by the Scottish Government last week, with Minister Mairi McAllan saying the target was ‘always likely to be beyond the this is achievable’.
However, he added that changes to the legislation set out in 2019 will reaffirm the Scottish Government’s overall aim of reaching net zero emissions by 2045 – five years earlier than the UK Government’s target.
