5a) We already have ambitious and statutory national emission reduction commitments in place for five key air pollutants (nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, non-methane volatile organic compounds and ammonia) as well as legally binding concentration limits for other pollutants. Our immediate focus for target setting is PM2.5 because it is the air pollutant that has the most significant impact on human health. This will deliver the commitment made in the 2019 Clean Air Strategy to set a new ambitious target to reduce exposure to PM2.5. The Government must review its targets through the 5-yearly ‘significant improvement test’. The government must assess whether meeting the long-term targets set under the Environment Bill, along with other legislative environmental targets, would significantly improve the natural environment in England. If not, the government must set out how it plans to use its target-setting powers to close the gap. This ensures future governments will have to assess the need for new targets for environmental improvement. Ongoing stakeholder engagement, expert advice and public consultation will also help to inform future target areas as part of the robust, evidence-led target-setting process. The UK is a party to the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution and has ratified the amended Gothenburg Protocol which came into force in 2019. The amended Gothenburg Protocol aims to control and reduce emissions of sulphur, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter that are caused by anthropogenic activities and are likely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment, natural ecosystems, materials, crops and the climate in the short and long term, due to acidification, eutrophication , particulate matter or ground-level ozone as a result of long-range transboundary atmospheric transport. The Protocol sets binding national emission reduction commitments which countries are required to meet for the five key air pollutants. Work has already started at an international level to review this protocol to consider the adequacy of the existing obligations, including emissions reduction commitments and to review progress towards achieving the aim of the protocol. The review of the Protocol will conclude in 2022 with any changes to the Protocol commitments including emission reduction commitments considered by the Parties to the Convention thereafter. 5b) As part of the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) review, we will be looking to review local level objectives alongside developing a stronger support and capability- building framework to ensure local authorities have the necessary tools to take the action needed locally to reduce people’s exposure to air pollutants. We will clarify the powers and levers that are available to local authorities and include actions that focus on reducing the impacts to vulnerable groups and communities that are disproportionately impacted by air pollution, e.g. schools, care homes and deprived neighbourhoods. We have ring-fenced £880m to help Local Authorities tackle NO2 exceedances and have paid nearly £400m of this to LAs to date. In addition, since 2017, Defra has awarded over £2million per year to local authorities through our Air Quality Grant Programme which funds local action. Through this program, Local Authorities have received £27.5 million since 2010. From April 2021, this fund will be increased to £8m. Local authorities can also access the £2bn funding package for cycling and walking. Through the strategy we will explore how funding can be better targeted to support LAs in meeting their objectives.