As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
HEAL had a booth within the UNFCCC COP17 exhibit area for answering questions and disseminating health and climate material from a wide array of health groups at Durban.
One publication on feature was our ’Acting Now’ report on what stronger climate action would do for health, which was promoted through our new Informational Postcard that directed audiences to this joint report helps provide policy makers with important evidence on the health benefits of mitigating climate change.