Fleet News has joined forces with UK100 to run two clean air zone (CAZ) roundtables in Birmingham and London, bringing together UK business fleets with council leaders and city mayors. UK100 is a local government leaders network which has pledged to shift to 100% clean energy by 2050.
Many CAZs are being taken forward in England by local and combined authorities after lengthy periods of consultation, while others are about start engagement on proposals.
Although their plans sit within the Government’s Clean Air Framework, there is a lack of consistency among authorities and a paucity of funding for initiatives that is likely to inhibit the ambitions of national fleet operators, businesses and local authorities.
Working in partnership would enable the promotion of a shared voice between local authorities, transport operators and business, and assist in creating successful air quality solutions.
While enhancing the delivery of local plans, partnership would also help promote a powerful voice to inform the Government Spending Review later this year.
Consequently, the Fleet News/UK100 CAZ roundtable discussions (sponsored by ALD, Enterprise and Geotab) have been designed with a clear objective in mind: to create political momentum for the delivery of Clean Air Zones by securing consensus on challenges and opportunities, with advocacy by national government and commitments to action from local authorities, business and transport operators.
Delegates, including UK business and local authorities, will agree to sign up to a Clean Air Zone Declaration to underline their commitment to delivering improvements in air quality.
This will result in a shared agreement between local authorities, transport operators and business on priorities that are needed locally and nationally to successfully take forward CAZs, together with commitments to action.
* Fleets interested in attending one of the CAZ roundtables (dates below) should email Fleet News editor-in-chief Stephen Briers: stephen.briers@bauermedia.co.uk
International Air Quality event
Between 22 and 25 October, London mayor Sadiq Khan will host an international air quality event and C40 air quality network meeting involving up to 15 world cities.
This four-day event will offer the opportunity for London to share its experience, expertise and influence.The event aims to support and encourage other UK and global cities and governments to develop policies and adopt legislation that will drive action towards meeting WHO-based air quality targets.
The third National Air Quality Summit, with is being arranged with UK100, is proposed to run in parallel with the international component of this event.
The added support and attention generated by the summit will reinforce pressure for the Government to adopt strong clean air legislation as it considers the Environment Bill, including adopting legally-binding WHO air quality standards for the UK.
CAZ ROUNDTABLES
October 8: at Fleet Live in Birmingham – for lead officers, council cabinet members and UK fleets.
October 23: in London – for council leaders, city mayors and UK fleets. This workshop will form part of the International Air Quality event hosted by the Mayor of London between October 22-25.
CAZ BRIEFING EVENT
October 9: at Fleet Live in Birmingham – for UK fleets.
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Bauer B2B group editor Stephen Briers has been an automotive business journalist since 1995. He has been editor of Fleet News since 2009 and before that was editor of Automotive Management for almost seven years. He now oversees both brands, as well as RAIL magazine.
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