Reaching targets for air quality could boost Bristol’s economy by £7million annually, according to a new study that shows 21,000 working days a year are lost to air pollution.
The new study- ‘Breathing Life into the Ƶ Economy’ produced by , the CBI’s economic analysis arm, on behalf of the Clean Air Fund - shows the vital importance of securing green and healthy growth.
It found that there would be a £7million annual economic benefit for Bristol if air pollution levels meet World Health Organisation guidelines.
It estimated that more than 21,000 working days are lost for Bristol businesses each year with workers becoming sick, or taking time off to care for sick children.
Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol said: “We have a moral, environmental and legal duty to improve air quality, and this report also shows the economic case is clear too. We have been committed to an approach that protects the most economically deprived in our city, because while air quality contributes to early deaths, we must also challenge the biggest killer: poverty.
"These two health challenges must be tackled together, and this report shows why. Poor air quality damages lives and disproportionately impacts our BAME and lower income communities and we want them to share in the economic benefits of improved air quality this analysis highlights.”
The study has calculated the impact across the Ƶ and examines four major cities in detail.
It shows that the annual economic benefit estimated in London (£480m), Birmingham (£25m), Bristol (£7m) and Manchester (£28m)
The report is believed to be the first analysis of the economic benefits of reducing pollution levels such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) to what are considered ‘safe levels’.
The WHO guidelines for PM2.5 (a form of microscopic pollution) are more than twice as stringent as Ƶ legal levels and the report finds that lowering air pollution levels to WHO guidelines could reduce premature deaths and make those skills available to the economy.
The £1.6bn annual benefit to the Ƶ economy would be on top of savings to NHS and social care budgets from treating fewer patients with health conditions associated with pollution. Air pollution can trigger cardiac arrests, strokes, severe asthma attacks and is associated with diseases such as lung cancer and COPD, with thousands of deaths and hospital stays every year.
The analysis does not include potential wider benefits to the Ƶ economy of meeting WHO air quality guidelines including preventing early retirement, the benefit to the voluntary sectors or impacts on consumer behaviour, meaning this analysis is likely to be conservative.
Deborah Fraser, CBI South West 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 Ƶ. Improving air quality should be a key part of this programme, with government and local authorities working together to deliver that goal.
“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.”
The Clean Air Fund is urging the Government to include a legally binding commitment to meet WHO standards by 2030 in the Environment Bill, which is due to be debated in Parliament in the autumn.
Some local authorities have announced the introduction of Clean Air Zones with the aim of improving air quality locally. Clean Air Zones were due to be launched in Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, and Leeds in 2020 but have since been postponed until at least 2021 while Greater Manchester’s plans have been delayed until 2022.
