Reducing pollution in Birmingham could boost economy by £25 million
Reducing pollution and hitting World Health Organisation (WHO) targets could boost a city’s economy by £25 million annually, figures have shown.
Data from CBI Economics showed a total of 71,000 working days were lost in Birmingham each year related to air pollution – with three million days lost nationally.
It comes after the planned Clean Air Zone – a levy on polluting cars heading into the city centre – was postponed until at least next year as a result of the pandemic.
The Breathing Life into the UK Economy study, on behalf of the Clean Air Fund, called for action to be taken to reduce pollution to help the region bounce back.
Richard Butler, CBI West Midlands director, said: “Not only is there a clear moral responsibility to address the climate emergency, there’s also a striking economic rationale.
“That’s why the CBI has been absolutely clear that a focus on green recovery should be central to our Covid-19 response.
“From mass energy efficiency programmes to building new sustainable transport infrastructure, the green economy offers incredible opportunities for the UK.
“Improving air quality should be a key part of this programme, with government and local authorities working together to deliver that goal.
Balance
"With air pollution hitting the balance sheets of businesses across the country, and cutting the earnings of their employees, cleaning up our air would help us to lead healthier and more productive lives, while a delivering a green jobs boost for the economy.”
Figures from a 2018 air survey carried out by Birmingham City Council revealed an “elevated” level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) prevalent in the city centre.
Lowering the pollution levels to WHO standards – which are stricter than UK legal levels – would stop workers from getting sick from poor air quality and reduce their days off.
Jane Burston, executive director of the Clean Air Fund, said: “We know clean air makes us healthier, but our research shows it can make us all wealthier too.
“If businesses and Government work together to ensure clean air for all, we can protect our health and re-energise the economy at this critical time.
“Ministers must commit to binding targets to cut air pollution in line with WHO guidelines by 2030.”
In a Clean Air Zone, no vehicle is banned from enterting the designated zone, but those which do not have clean enough engines will have to pay a daily charge if they travel within the area.
