Improving the quality of life in UK cities

Between 28,000 and 36,000 premature deaths in the UK annually are due to exposure to air pollution. In response to a UK government review into interventions to improving outdoor air quality and public health, IOM led on four out of five rapid evidence assessments on planning, transport, agriculture and behavioural interventions to reduce exposure to pollution. The assessments provided evidence for future UK air quality policies including the 2019 Clean Air Strategy, which set out plans to meet legally-binding international targets to reduce emissions of the five most damaging air pollutants by 2020 and 2030. IOM also contributed to a Government Air Quality Strategy report which showed on average, life expectancy of people in the UK is shortened by about eight months as a direct result of long-term exposure to ambient pollution.