RENEWED CALLS FOR WELSH CLEAN AIR ACT TO IMPROVE NATION’S HEALTH

A statement of opinion calling for a Clean Air Act for Wales has been tabled by Members of the Senedd Helen Mary Jones and Llyr Gruffydd to coincide with Clean Air Day (8 October).

Joseph Carter, Chair of Healthy Air Cymru commented: ‘We urge MSs from across the political spectrum to sign this Statement of Opinion in support of Clean Air Day. Air pollution is a major public and environmental threat and costs Wales around £1 billon. The Welsh Government’s recent Clean Air Plan is a great first step to tackling the challenges we face, but we need a Clean Air Act to set new pollution targets and protect lives.’

Plaid Cymru Mid and West MS Helen Mary Jones, Shadow Economy, Transport and Tackling Poverty Minister said: “We’ve all noticed the improvement in air quality due to the  Coronavirus lock down. We need to make sure as we rebuild our economy that we don’t forget the importance of clean air and our environment.”

North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for the Environment and Rural Affairs added:

“Air pollution is causing an additional 1,400 deaths with every year that passes, as with the climate emergency we cannot wait any longer, we need urgent action to clean up our dirty air. A Plaid Cymru Welsh Government would make sure any future plan has legislative clout, we need to end the dithering and change Wales for good.”