The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh
Government to deliver on its long promised Clean Air Act for Wales, stating
that the “health of Welsh people cannot wait any longer for its introduction”
and that Welsh Labour had “not acted fast enough” to secure the Bill’s
introduction.
The Welsh Labour Government has consistently promised a clean
air act for Wales, but its introduction has faced repeated delays. Such an act
would likely contain measures such as implementing World Health Organisation
(WHO) guidelines, mandating the Welsh Government to produce an air-quality
strategy every five years, introduce a “right to breathe” and require local
authorities to monitor and assess air pollution and take action to reduce it.
Poor air quality currently costs Wales considerably, with an
estimated 2,000 people dying a year in Wales and many more having their average
life expectancy cut short. The cost of air-quality related health conditions
for the Welsh NHS approximately £1 billion each year.
Commenting Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal said:
“Next Month, Glasgow will host the international COP26 Climate Conference, now
is time for the Welsh Government to take action. It has been 148 days since the
Senedd election, that is 48 days after the latest point the Welsh Liberal
Democrats would have introduced a Clean Air Act as had been recommended by
Healthy Air Cymru and other environmental groups.
“We are facing a crisis, 1 in 5 of us will develop a lung
disease at some point in our lives and five towns and cities in Wales have all
reported illegal and dangerous levels of air pollution over recent years.
“We know that poor air quality has an especially pronounced
impact on the health of the most vulnerable – such as the very young or very
old, or people with cardiovascular diseases. We also know that air quality can
be significantly worse in more deprived communities, who already often face
other healthcare challenges. Both these factors could place more unnecessary
stress on health and social care services in Wales.
“I am calling on Welsh Labour to put forward to bring
forward the publication of a roadmap for the Clean Air (Wales) Bill and set a
date in this first parliamentary year for when it will be introduced to the
Senedd.
“We cannot afford to continue to delay this vital piece of
legislation any longer, with the eyes of the world on the UK as COP26
approaches, let us have Wales set the example."
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