Measures to reduce PM2.5 ‘fall a long way short’, say campaigners, as government publishes new targets under Environment Act
The government has proposed to set air quality limits that would allow twice as much small-particle pollution in England as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends as an upper limit, and that would not be met for almost 20 years.
The new target is to reduce levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, to 10 micrograms per cubic metre by 2040, in contrast to WHO guidelines, updated last September, that say concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre on average over a year.
Reduce nutrient pollution in water in England, with phosphorus in treated sewage to be cut by 80% by 2037, and nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from agriculture to be reduced by 40% by 2037.
Halt the decline in species by 2030 and increase species abundance by 10% by 2042, creating or restoring more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042.
Halve residual waste produced by 2042, from 560kg per person in 2019;
Improve the marine environment by ensuring 70% of “designated features” in marine-protected areas are in favourable condition by 2042.
Increase tree canopy and woodland cover from 14% of England to 17.5% by 2050.
