22 May 2018 – Today, a new Clean Air Strategy has been published by Environment Secretary Michael Gove. The strategy sets out the UK Government’s ambition to become a leader in reducing human exposure to particulate matter pollution and forms part of a 25 year plan to improve the state of our environment.
Responding to the strategy, Amy Gibbs, Director of Advocacy at Unicef UK, said: “Children are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution, which can damage their lungs and impact cognitive development. It is vital that any clean air strategy includes measures to ensure their health, and their futures, are protected.
“Unicef UK welcomes the Government’s commitment to tackle all sources of harmful pollution and to raise public awareness. Aiming to halve the number of people living in toxic levels of pollution is a positive start, but leaves millions still at risk now and for many years to come.
“Local authorities urgently need additional funding to put in place robust measures to protect children’s health, alongside legislation to ensure progress is made.”
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Morwenna Darby (Media Manager), 0207 375 6124, [email protected]
Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]
About Unicef
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk
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