More than 70 people from across Kent came together, at The Friars in Aylesford, to a seminar entitled 'URBAN CHANGE' (Understanding the Relevance Between Air Quality & the Needs of Climate change, Health And Next Generation Expansion). The event prompted lively discussions surrounding Air Quality, Climate Change, health and next generation expansion.

Key guests at the seminar included council senior managers, spatial planners, transport planners, planning development control, NHS staff, councillors including portfolio holders and was chaired by Professor Frank Kelly, (King's College Environmental Research Group) who said:

"Today's seminar is very timely for a number of reasons not the least being that politicians are increasingly becoming more enlightened that spending money on improving the environment can not only save lives, days of lost work, but also a large fraction of the health budget. As a spin off, we also have more pleasant towns and cities to live and work in."

Topics of the seminar included: The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Report on Air Quality; Defra report Air Pollution; Action in a Changing Environment; Climate Change, Air Pollution and Health; The role of the Health Protection Agency in Air Quality; Low Emission Strategies; Source apportionment and measures to reduce emissions and the Health Effects of Poor Air Quality. Presentations can be downloaded below:

• The EAC's 'Air Quality' Report: A Changed landscape for air quality management - Ed Dearnley, EPUK
• Air Quality Update - Robert Vaughan, Defra
• Air Quality and Climate Change - The Best of Both Worlds? - Martin Williams, King's College London
• Air Pollution and the HPA - Alison Gowers, HPA
• Low Emission Strategies - Andrew Whittles, Low Emissions Strategies
• Effective Local Actions - Beth Conlan, AEA
• Health Effects of Poor Air Quality - Frank Kelly, King's College London

Seminar delegates were advised on the new Coalition Government's priorities on dealing with air pollution and low emission strategies that could be implemented by local authorities.

If you require any further information please contact:

Deborah Wilders
Gravesham Borough Council
Email: deborah.wilders@gravesham.gov.uk

Professor Frank Kelly
King's College London
Email: frank.kelly@kcl.ac..uk

More Information

Item date 07/11/2010