A framework for assessing the contribution of UK local authorities toward compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive

Fremantle, Katherine; De Vito, Laura; Williams, Ben; Longhurst, James

Abstract

Implementation outcomes of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) (2008/50/EC)) are weak across European Union (EU) member states. In the UK, Local Authorities (LAs) must work toward reducing air pollution, however, means of assessing the extent and effectiveness of their contribution are limited. This paper develops a framework to evaluate policies implemented by UK LAs to address air pollution and applies it to Air Quality Action Plans (AQAP) of five cities. It looks at how, and the extent to which, LA air quality policies align with AAQD requirements, thus advancing empirical and academic knowledge on implementation literature surrounding multi-level governance, specifically the policy disconnect between the AAQD and UK Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). The application of the framework shows how LAs can better integrate AQAPs into their LAQM plans to assess, develop, improve and implement their air quality policies on the ground.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: May 4, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 2, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
• Print ISSN: 0964-0568
• Electronic ISSN: 1360-0559
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 356-373
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1888698
• Keywords: Geography, Planning and Development; Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law; General Environmental Science; Water Science and Technology; Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7261057
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=cjep20; Received: 2020-08-31; Revised: 2021-02-02; Accepted: 2021-02-04; Published: 2021-04-01