Air quality
Air Quality Forum
Background on the establishment and membership of the Air Quality Forum and the terms of reference
- The Air Quality Forum was set up in March 1998 to provide the mechanism by which stakeholders could put views to Government on the review of the National Air Quality Strategy and provide feedback on progress on local air quality management. It was intended to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and information, but not to be a policy or decision making body. The establishment of the Forum helped to fulfil the requirement under Section 80 of the Environment Act 1995 to consult with relevant outside bodies during the preparation of the proposals for modifying the National Air Quality Strategy.
- The Air Quality Forum continues to have an important role as the main mechanism by which stakeholders can put views to Government on the rolling programme of reviews of the former National Air Quality Strategy (now called the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), and the implementation of local air quality management. The terms of reference state that the Forum is an opportunity for:
- Exchanging ideas and information;
- Offering an independent overview of the implementation of the Strategy and progress towards achieving its objectives;
- Discussing additional policy measures or voluntary action necessary to achieve those objectives; and
- Providing feedback on progress on local air quality management. Membership is by invitation only and there is a list of over 200 interested groups from a variety of sectors who receive copies of papers and minutes of the meetings. These groups can put their views in writing direct to the Defra secretariat, or through the key stakeholder representatives who are:
Government, Devolved Administration and Agency representatives
Central Government Departments
Scottish Executive
Welsh Assembly
Department of Environment in Northern Ireland
Environment Agency
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Northern Ireland Industrial Pollution Inspectorate
Health and Safety Executive
Local Government
Local Government Association
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
Welsh Local Government Association
London Councils
Greater London Authority
Local Authority Co-ordinating Office on Regulatory Services (LACORS)
Local Government Association & Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Northern Ireland
Business and industry reps
CBI
UK Petroleum Industry Association
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Chemical Industries Association
Association of Electricity Producers
Environmental Industries Commission
Federation of Small Businesses
Scottish Federation of Small Businesses
Freight Transport Association
Confederation of Passenger Transport (UK)
Metals Forum
Voluntary sector/others
National Society for Clean Air
Passenger Transport Exec Group
Automobile Association
Royal Automobile Club
Charter Institute of Environmental Health
Royal Environment Health Institute of Scotland
Friends of the Earth
National Trust
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
National Farmers’ Union
Institute for Air Quality Management
Health groups
British Medical Association
British Lung Foundation
National Asthma Campaign
- The Air Quality Forum provides the mechanism by which stakeholders could put views to Government on the review of the National Air Quality Strategy and provide feedback on progress on local air quality management.
The Air Quality Forum Secretariat can be contacted at:
Air and Environment Quality Division
Defra
Zone 7D/13
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6DE
By email at air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Or enquiries Tel: 020 7082 8376
Defra
August 2001
Page last modified: 27 March 2007
Page published 23 August
2001