8. What consideration has the Welsh Government given to adopting the World Health Organization’s air quality limits for the emission of particulate matter? OAQ52997

We are considering all options to improve air quality in Wales. As part of the clean air programme, the Minister for Environment has established an air quality evidence, innovation and improvements project, which will consider the practical application of the World Health Organization guidelines for air pollution in Wales. 

Leader of the house, I'm sure you'll be aware that this is a very important matter that relates to the concerns of my colleague for Newport West, which is that pollution and congestion are very, very serious matters when it comes to public health. You may be aware that there was a report last month, published by the English public health organisation, about the effects of long-term exposure on cardiovascular morbidity i.e. it's killing more of us than it needs to. And although a lot of concern has been expressed about the levels of nitrogen oxides in the environment, I think it's really important we consider particulates in combination with them, because it's particulates that are the most damaging, because they penetrate the very smallest ventricles, and particularly the impact on children. So, I'd be very grateful if you could tell me what consideration, if any, the Government has so far given to adopting the WHO limits, which are obviously considerably better than the European Union's limits.

Yes, absolutely. As part of the clean air programme established this summer, as I just said, an air quality evidence, innovation and improvements project has been set up. That will look at the World Health Organization guidelines for air pollution and all of their potential impacts and for potential adoption in Wales. The guidelines are based solely on scientific conclusions about public health aspects of air pollution, and don't consider the technical feasibility or the economic, political and social aspects of the achievement of those levels. Therefore, we have officials currently assessing such practical aspects so that we can underpin future targets with evidence, to ensure they deliver the most effective change, supporting the delivery of our well-being goals. We already have access to a wide range of levers to take forward action to improve air quality, including planning, infrastructure, legislation, regulation and communication measures. The Minister has indicated that we would consider legislating as well, if we find that that suite of measures isn't sufficient for the practical implementation of the standards.

Back in March, leader of the house, I did ask the First Minister what leadership role the Welsh Government was taking to reduce the premature deaths through poor air quality. We know that 2,000 people a year die prematurely through poor air quality here in Wales. That's 6 per cent of all deaths in Wales, or five every day. Those are really, really major figures that we've desperately got to be tackling, and when you talk to certain organisations, they say there's good work going on in isolation, but not in a co-ordinated fashion. Would the Government be open-minded to actually having a summit of all relevant partners to try and drive forward this agenda, so that by 2021, when this Assembly breaks for the elections, we can see genuine improvement in those figures and a substantial reduction in the premature deaths through poor air quality here in Wales?

Yes. As I said, we've got the studies going on at the moment, and I'm sure, once we've bottomed out some of the practical aspects, then we will be consulting on a way forward on that. I can't speak for this particular area, but normally we would look to consult and engage with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible—particularly those with expert knowledge on how to implement practical standards in clean air, which, after all, as the Member points out, is what we all want.

Well, dirty air is killing our citizens, and it's ruining the lives of our children. Now, Plaid Cymru has outlined some of our proposals in relation to tackling vehicle emissions, pollution monitoring, pollution and congestion charging, creating clean air zones, but also giving them that legal underpinning that they need. Now, you mentioned that you might consider it. Well, I would urge you, please, as a Government, to support Plaid Cymru's proposals for a clean air Bill for Wales.

Yes, as I said, we've a range of measures in place, and we need to look to see what we can do with current levers, including that we have—. For example, we consulted earlier this year on tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations. That document set out how we will reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide around roads in Wales where levels are above the limit. That plan will be published by the end of this month. We've also got the clean air zone framework for Wales. The final framework will be published by the end of the year. We've a number of other, as I said, studies and so on going on. What we need to do is get the most comprehensive set of measures in place and then look to see what can be added by a clean air Act. Certainly, that's not off the table, but it may not be necessary. What we'd really like to do is just get on with it as soon as possible.

Thank you, leader of the house, responding on behalf of the First Minister.