Health charities have said progress in making Scotland's air cleaner has been slow
Air quality in Scotland should be treated as a health emergency.
Health charities have said that urgent action is needed to tackle thousands of deaths every year which are linked to air pollution.
The Scottish Government has asserted its Clean Air for Scotland strategy offers an ambitious approach to improving the country’s air quality.
However in submissions to the Scottish Parliament’s health and sport committee, campaigners have revealed they believe that progress in implementing changes has been slow.
Katherine Byrne, policy manager for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “The action needed to tackle air pollution is making slow progress, with just one low emission zone to be in place by the end of this year, which will make a marginal difference to the national problem.
“Air pollution should be treated as a health emergency and not constrained by the current slow pace of negotiation and action.”
Asthma UK highlighted an increase in deaths in Scotland from the condition (133 in 2016), with more than half of Scots feeling that air pollution is a trigger for their asthma.
A submission from the British Lung Foundation said: “The government should ensure that drivers receive clear and accurate health information on air pollution. We need a Scotland-wide public health campaign to ensure that everyone knows how exposed they are to air pollution, how they can protect themselves and how they can be part of the solution.”
The submissions were due to be discussed at the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday, 17 April), and a spokesman for the government said: “We welcome recognition, from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland among others, of our ambitious measures and leadership to address air quality concerns as set out in our Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy.
“This includes doubling the active travel budget and the commitment to continue to work with industry to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 – eight years ahead of the UK government’s target.”
