More must be done to combat air pollution, says Friends of the Earth Scotland.
The new Scottish Government must do more to tackle air pollution – after it was revealed that Glasgow has failed to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for air quality.
Scotland’s largest city was identified as one of 40 areas in the UK and Ireland which failed WHO clean air targets.
Friends of the Earth Scotland said the new government must take action now, as a WHO report showed that globally, air pollution is responsible for more than three million premature deaths every year.
Director Dr Richard Dixon said: “The global death toll from air pollution is staggering and this research shows that no nation is completely immune from its impacts. Transport systems around the world are having a hugely damaging effect on our health and our climate. The WHO report specifically highlights the problems for health in Glasgow.
Poor air quality impacts are felt most by the elderly, young people whose lungs are still developing and those who already ill
“Poor air quality impacts are felt most by the elderly, young people whose lungs are still developing and those who already ill. By taking action to cut air pollution we’ll improve public health, reduce its cost to the NHS and protect some of our most vulnerable citizens. Making transport greener will also reduce climate change emissions.
“Air pollution claims over 2,500 lives each year in Scotland so the new Parliament must act urgently to clean up our air. The SNP manifesto commitment to deliver at least one city Low Emission Zone by 2018 is welcome but this process must be accelerated.
“MSPs must also work to shift transport spending priorities. If we continue to see billion-pound budgets for road expansion and motorway building, Scotland will not see the transport transformation that it desperately needs. The Government’s aspiration to have 10% of journeys made by bike by 2020 is out of reach without immediate increases in funding and support for walking and cycling.”
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said the report was "deeply concerning".
"It is clear from this report that the UK is facing an air pollution crisis.
"Unfortunately, the government's response so far has been inadequate. Swift action must be taken to reduce pollution levels in the UK and protect our lung health."
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "Glasgow has set a target of being one of the most sustainable cities in Europe and we take our responsibility to monitor air quality very seriously.
"In fact the latest data for air quality in the city shows that both the Scottish Air Quality Objective and WHO target level for the pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 were met across the city in 2015.
"While we have made good progress, we recognise there is more to be done. The council is a key partner in the Scottish government's Clean Air for Scotland Strategy which is intended to define the path to achieving full compliance with the relevant air quality standards over the next few years."
