Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Global Action Plan.

The Committee received a presentation from a representative of Global Air Action regarding action on air quality, emissions and exposure. Members were advised of several recent projects to reduce emissions and improve air quality, including encouraging drivers to switch off their engines whilst stationary, a four week travel challenge in association with Bart’s Health NHS Trust to change people’s commuting pattern away from car to public transport, walking, or cycling, and the introduction of garden plants that could play a role on trapping fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) found in the air we breathe. A document providing further information on these air quality plants would be circulated to Members after the meeting.

In response to a Member’s question, the Global Action Plan representative advised that 80% of interactions with drivers asked to switch off their engines were positive, although some taxi drivers were reluctant due to the perception of their customers that they were not ready to take business.

In response to Members’ questions, the Environmental Health Officer advised that cleaner Transport for London (TfL) taxis would be gradually introduced due to the requirement for all newly-licensed vehicles to be Zero Emission Capable from January 2018 and the introduction of a voluntary and incentivised decommissioning scheme for taxis older than ten years.

RESOLVED – That the Cleaner Air Action presentation be noted.