Welcome to the ninth edition of the Low Emission Strategies (LES) e-Newsletter!

In this issue we look at the future of local air quality management, give an update on the Low Emission Toolkit and provide more information on the LESP regional group activities.

We'd like to thank everyone who has subscribed to the newsletter. We hope it gives planners, developers and environmental practitioners an understanding of how LES can inform practice and policy where you are.

As always we welcome your feedback so please do let us know if you have any ideas for future content or if there are any FAQs you'd like answering.

Katherine Stanger - (LES Programme Manager)

LES and Local Air Quality Management

The LES Partnership has published a discussion paper on the future of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). It comes in response to a report for Defra, which reviewed the existing LAQM regime, and is intended to contribute to the wider debate on the future of LAQM.

We argue for recognition of the key role that emissions-based metrics could play at a local level in bridging the gap between concentration-based objectives and the actions required to meet them. Greater emphasis on emissions would provide a practical mechanism for LAQM to deliver significant contributions to health and environmental protection, thereby maintaining its importance and relevance within the wider context of UK air quality management.

Read more...

Update on the LESP Regional Groups

Our Regional Groups are generating traction for the adoption of low emission strategies approaches within their areas.

Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region is making excellent progress in incorporating low emission strategies within their new Merseyside Local Transport Plan. One of the goals within the Preferred Strategy is to “provide a clean and low carbon transport system”, and within this there is a commitment to implement a Low Emission Strategy to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and provide a stimulus to the development of new technologies.

Read more...

Leeds City Region

The Leeds Regional Group has been working with transport planners to discuss the inclusion of low emission strategies within West Yorkshire’s Local Transport Plan, which is due to be consulted on in October. Leeds’ partners at York City Council have focused on planning policies.

Read more...

Sussex

Sussex has held a number of workshops to bring the key people together throughout the region to discuss policy approaches. They are organising a Planning workshop with the Royal Town Planning Institute during November.

Read more...

Low Emission Toolkit Update

At the recent Care for Air Conference in Sheffield, Gary Mahoney from Sefton MBC gave a presentation on the progress that the partnership has been making with development of the Low Emission Toolkit. At the conference, the Partnership was held up as an example of how local authorities can work together to pool resources and expertise to develop useful tools and disseminate best practice.

Read more...

• The Department for Transport has announced plans for a new Local Sustainable Transport Fund to challenge local transport authorities outside London to develop packages of measures that support economic growth, reduce carbon and deliver cleaner environments. The funding will be set aside from within the Department’s overall funding allocation following conclusion of the Spending Review. Details about the new Fund, including the resources available and how it will operate, will be announced later in the year.

• A new study by Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH Europe) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) quantifies the air quality and resulting health benefits of moving to a 30% EU greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2020. The report is available online at the HCWH website.

LES Partnership Events

7th October 2010
Vehicle Demonstration Day at Millennium Square, Leeds

To book your place, contact Dave.Cherry@leeds.gov.uk

19th October 2010
Low Emission Taxi Demonstration Event at Aintree Racecourse

For more information,
contact us at: info@lowemissionstrategies.org

3rd December 2010
Third Low Emission Forum -
City Hall, London

Click here to see the report and presentations from the second meeting in Sheffield

Other events you may be interested in:

14th October 2010
Urban Change Seminar - (Understanding the relevance between air quality & the needs of climate change, health and next generation expansion), Aylesford

The Event is hosted by Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership (attendance is free for Kent Local Authorities).
To book your place, email: health.admin@gravesham.gov.uk

3rd November 2010
EPUK AQ Update – Birmingham
Simon Newcombe and Andrew Whittles will provide a presentation on the Low Emission Strategies Programme

To find out more about the Partnership visit the website, or if you have any questions or comments please click here to email us

You can also join our mailing list by visiting our website and entering your email address in the newsletter panel.