Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Pollution

Tuesday 20 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths globally.
  • UK climate finance has provided 33 million people with improved access to clean energy since 2011.
  • The UK is working with COP26 campaigns to integrate public health objectives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Geraint Davies Lab
Climate Environment
Context

Global efforts are needed to reduce air pollution, especially ahead of the COP26 summit.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to work with partners in the global south to reduce deaths from air pollution ahead of the COP26 summit.

Answer from James Duddridge

Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to human health and it results in 7 million premature deaths globally. Since 2011, UK international climate finance has provided 33 million people with improved access to clean energy and reduced or avoided 31 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for collaboration in the global south were not detailed

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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Climate Environment
Context

University College London reported that 8.7 million people die each year due to air pollution from fossil fuels, including one in five deaths globally and one in three in eastern Asia.

Question

Will the Minister press the Government to show leadership at COP26 by enshrining World Health Organisation air quality limits in the Environment Bill to help prevent tens of thousands of avoidable deaths in Britain and millions abroad?

Answer from James Duddridge

We are working closely with COP26 energy transformation, transition and zero-emission vehicles campaigns to make sure there is closer integration with public health objectives. This will facilitate a global, green, healthy and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

Not addressed: The specific request to enshrine WHO limits was not addressed

How: Changing Subject

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