Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the analysis by the Royal College of Physicians in their report Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution, published in February 2016, that around 40,000 deaths each year are attributable to exposure to outdoor air pollution, what steps they are taking to improve air quality; and when they expect air quality to improve.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK has ambitious targets in place to reduce emissions of five damaging air pollutants (ammonia, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, fine particulate matter and sulphur dioxide) by 2020 and 2030. We have put in place a £3.5 billion plan to reduce harmful emissions from road transport, and we will end the sale of new conventional diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040. Our new and world leading Clean Air Strategy, published on 14 January, focuses on broader emissions beyond road transport and sets goals working towards World Health Organisation recommendations on particulate matter emissions – going further than the EU requires.
Air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010 – emissions of toxic nitrogen oxides have fallen by almost 27%, and are at their lowest level since records began. However, there is more to do, and by requiring comprehensive action from all parts of government and society, we will be able to continue to cut air pollution and save lives.
Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken an impact assessment of a refundable deposit scheme for glass bottles, plastic bottles and metal cans; if so, what was the outcome; and at what levels refundable deposits would need to be set to make such a scheme cost-effective.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK has made progress on our packaging recycling rates, including for drinks containers. Current policies and regulations have seen the recycling rate for packaging waste rise to 60% in 2015, from around 46% in 2005.
This Government has not yet undertaken a formal Impact Assessment of a deposit return scheme. However, Defra analysed the costs and benefits of implementing a deposit return system for single use drink containers as part of the 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England, and to seek views in the 2012 consultation on higher packaging recycling targets.
From 2 October to 20 November 2017 an independent working group set up under the Litter Strategy for England held a call for evidence on measures to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. The focus was rigid and flexible plastic, glass or metal drinks containers that are sold sealed, and used for the sale of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, often for consumption ‘on-the-go’. This included seeking evidence on the costs, benefits and impacts of deposit and reward and return schemes.
The working group is due to provide advice to Ministers on potential incentives for drinks containers in the next couple of months. Any decisions on appropriate measures to take forward will then be made, supported by the development of an impact assessment as necessary.