6. Debate: Air Quality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:13 pm on 5 December 2017.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 6:13, 5 December 2017

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. You can tell I'm still a novice as I wasn't ready for that then.

I'd like to thank all the Members for their contributions today and I welcome the consensus on this issue and I think that consensus recognises how important an issue it is for us all to tackle, and it's one that should be approached collaboratively and collectively. Simon Thomas was right because this is my first speech—was my first speech as a Minister in this Chamber but I'm not quite convinced by his idea of what a Christmas present is at this point. [Interruption.] Thanks for that. You did note that I cast blame on Westminster, but I was trying to really go for that, actually, the onus is on all of us—all levels of government and across society to take action on this. The Member was right to say that improving our air quality is a matter of social justice, as I think the Member for Cynon Valley recognised—it's a matter of social justice.

You talked about the need to plant trees and you're absolutely right that it has to be the right trees in the right places. I understand there's potential for local authorities in the future to use what is known as the i-Tree software to help them be able to do that and I'm sure this is something we'll debate further, particularly next week in the Chamber, looking at our tree-planting policy in general.

In terms of a statutory approach, we have issued statutory guidance already, but as I said in my opening speech, I am prepared to consider further legislative measures where they seem to be necessary.

I'd like to thank David Melding for his warm words and his contribution to this debate. You're absolutely right that the tone should be across Government and across all different levels of Government as well, because it is right that there's not one single solution and not one single actor in this has the answers to the problems that we face. You mentioned specifically about towns and the role of towns and cities. Cardiff: in terms of the clean air zone framework, the clean air zone framework will be able to guide and facilitate the establishment of clean air zones where they're deemed to be needed, and officials are already working with officials in Cardiff as it has identified the city where a clean air zone could accelerate compliance with EU limit values.

My colleague Jenny Rathbone, thank you for your contribution to this debate. I know that this is an issue that you feel passionate about and I know you're very passionate about how we achieve a modal shift in terms of the transport that we use and how we encourage that behavioural change a well. The issues you raised about the need to look at the development of the metro and buses are things that I've already considered taking forward. I plan to meet the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport to discuss those very issues and how we work together on those, and when considering infrastructure and transport investment that these things are taken into account when we do that.

My colleague Lee Waters, thank you for your contribution. The dilemmas you raised just show the scale of the challenge that we face and you're right that we need to bring all strands together and take a much more longer term view of things in terms of achieving behavioural change. I expect the upcoming initiatives in terms of behavioural change that we're looking to as part of the air quality plans to tie into our active travel strategy as well, so that we make sure that we actually do bring these things together across Government, across communities. Like I said, we can't just do this from one approach and one aspect alone.

Vikki Howells, you're right to say that public awareness is a major public health issue of our time, and that's one of the things that we should look at again, across Government, to work with the Cabinet Secretary for health and social care to make sure that all these factors are taken into account and the network of—. I did note your motion and the introduction of a network of clean air zones. The consultation, I hope that you will be encouraging people to contribute to the consultation on this framework and putting forward your ideas and the ideas of the people that you've worked with there. You're absolutely right: we still have progress. Progress has been made. We have cleaner air than we've had in the past, people have more awareness of the risks, but we do still have a long way to go, but I can assure you that I'm absolutely committed in this role to continuing to put that work forward and actually not just come up with a plan, but to actually see action.

This plan and this action, going forward, can be whatever we make it and it's by no means limited to the initiatives that I've announced earlier and I'd welcome all Members' contributions on what else should be considered, and I will consider all options going forward. Diolch yn fawr.