Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. This Government is acutely aware of the pressing need to tackle air pollution, both for current and for future generations. We've committed to delivering vital improvements in air quality to support healthier communities and better environments. So, I do welcome this debate on air quality legislation today, and I know and welcome the Member's ongoing interest and passion for this area, where I believe there's a great deal of consensus in this Chamber now. We know it's going to take a collective effort to get to where we need to be. As well as the action that Government can take, it also involves us all taking our own individual action in terms of our own behavioural change as well. I welcome the opportunity to be able to update on the work of this Government and what we're doing as a cross-Government priority as what I am today—unfortunately, the understudy for the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs.

Air quality management as a whole is framed within a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework. National improvements to date have been largely driven by European directives. For example, as the Member alludes to, in November last year we published our Welsh supplement to the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations in Wales to satisfy the requirements of the European directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. The plan sets out local authority and Welsh Government actions being taken to reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide around roads where levels are above legal limits in Wales, which is our most pressing and immediate air quality challenge. A significant amount of work has gone into the development of this plan, and will continue throughout its implementation. In addition, we've been working with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on future emission reductions required under the national emissions ceilings directive for five important air pollutants. These are nitrogen oxide, non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and fine particulate matter. We know that these pollutants contribute to poor air quality, leading to significant negative impacts on both human health and our environment.

The UK currently meets all EU and international emission reduction commitments. The Welsh Government will set out its plans to help achieve the UK's future emissions reduction commitments within the UK national air pollution control programme, which we will consult on shortly and publish before April this year. Cross-Government action is needed and is being taken across all Welsh Government departments and sectors to deliver air quality improvements. To address this we established the clean air programme last year, and the aim of this programme is to protect public health and our natural environment. The programme also places a focus on compliance with European and domestic legislative obligations. Under the programme, we have established projects that pull together departments and key stakeholders to deliver improvements in air quality across Wales. These include transport, improved evidence, domestic combustion, industry, planning and communications.

European directives tackle air pollution in a number of ways, including limits for outdoor air quality, limiting emissions at source, and driving down trans-boundary emissions through international action. Our emissions reductions, to be met from 2030 onwards, will support the reduction of health impacts of air pollution by half compared with 2005.

Going forward, we must maintain our commitment to deliver action to comply with our statutory obligations, but we're clear that this is not just about taking action to tick boxes—this is taking action because we know we need to do it for the benefit of our citizens and for their health. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including through improved policy integration and collaboration. Many targets, including some World Health Organization air quality guidelines, are not safe levels but are thresholds to limit individual risk. So, we are looking at all potential options to reduce exposure of the population to air pollution in the most effective way, including the potential effect of WHO standards.