Greener vision for Birmingham outlined by council

Birmingham City Council has published its Clean Air Strategy for the city, outlining a clear set of actions, priorities and pledges to create a greener vision for Birmingham.

The strategy aims to encourage a greater understanding of the types of air pollution, its sources, greater collaboration between Birmingham City Council and other significant stakeholders in the city and to embed key priorities around improving air quality into the council’s decision-making processes.

Pledges stated in the strategy include improving air quality monitoring at schools across the city, supporting businesses to encourage active travel amongst staff and active participation in joint initiatives such as West Midlands Air Quality Improvement Programme, led by the University of Birmingham which seek to improve the understanding of pollution sources and levels of exposure.

Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for Transport and Environment at the council, said: “There is clear evidence that air pollution can have long and short-term health implications. Our ambition is to create an environment where people can live and work to their full potential without the threat of this entirely preventable pollution.

“This strategy outlines our commitment to work towards this goal. The launch of the Clean Air Zone was just the beginning of our journey to a greener future for the city and our communities. It is a promising next step for us today to be able to launch the Air Pollution Sensors project with Airly as this will help us create further awareness across our communities of how the air pollution situation is progressing.

“I am grateful to the public for providing their feedback during the consultation to help shape this strategy and for their continued support as this important work develops. Now it is time for us all to think about changes we can make to create a difference, as individuals and as organisations.”