34 Deferred

Ammonia emissions have remained broadly stable since 2007, with the latest data implying that the...

Conclusion
Ammonia emissions have remained broadly stable since 2007, with the latest data implying that the UK missed its 2020 ceiling for this pollutant.60 We heard from Defra that it only became clear that this target would be missed when the annual projections were published in 2021, and that it has applied for a legal adjustment to take account of new emissions sources that have emerged since the target was set.61 Addressing ammonia emissions will require significant behavioural change in the agricultural sector, which accounts for around 87% of ammonia emissions.62 Government has not set further targets to 2040 for Ammonia through the Environment Act, but has instead focussed on targets for particulate matter, which is believed to be the air pollutant of greatest harm to human health.63 We heard that significant steps have been taken to address particulate matter pollution in recent months, such as the introduction of restrictions on the sale of wet wood and the phasing out of traditional house coal for domestic use, and that progress will be monitored and adjusted through annual projections.64 59 C&AG’s Report, para 3.23 60 C&AG’s Report, para 10 61 Q 16 62 Q 3 63 C&AG’s Report, para 1.7 64 Qq 71–73 16 Tackling local air quality breaches
Government Response Summary
The government states it has consulted on a revised National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) with measures to deliver compliance with 2030 targets for all air pollutants, and responses are currently being carefully considered.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented. The government has consulted on a revised National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) which includes robust actionable measures for further consideration to deliver compliance with the 2030 targets for all air pollutants. Responses to the consultation are currently being carefully considered. Strong governance arrangements regarding Air Quality policies are already in place. The draft revised NAPCP sets out wide-ranging policies and measures to be considered further to drive emission reductions across to meet the 2030 emission reduction ceilings for five key pollutants. These sectors include domestic combustion, industry, agriculture and transport. It is based on analysis that includes estimates of pollutant emissions reductions of existing decarbonisation policies as well as air pollution measures. The responsibility for these measures rests with different departments across government. As the NAPCP is UK wide, the government has also included measures which are the responsibility of Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. In particular, the government took an integrated approach by making sure DfT and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) work closely together. Policies and proposals relating to road transport and decarbonisation have been considered from the following strategies: • the Net Zero Strategy (HM Government) • the Reducing Car Use for a healthier, fairer and Greener Scotland • the Clean Air plan for Wales and the Net Zero Wales: Carbon budget 2 The draft revised NAPCP was subject to a six-week consultation, that ran from 25 July to 4 September 2022. All consultation responses are currently being carefully considered.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 3.8 yrs
Report published 26 Oct 2022