Jersey Air Quality Strategy

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A decision made 17 May 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2013-0023
Decision Summary Title :	Jersey Air Quality Strategy		Date of Decision Summary:	10 May 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Jersey Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan		Date of Written Report:	February 2013
Written Report Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Jersey Air Quality Strategy
Decision(s): The Minister approved the Jersey Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan, on Monday 18th February 2013.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister approved the Jersey Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan, which have been prepared in conjunction with the Health Protection Unit within the Department of Health and Social Services and the documents will be presented as a Report with the States Assembly as a joint initiative, noting the development of the strategy document has been led by the Minister for Planning and the Environment and the design of the associated action plan has been led by the Minister for Health and Social Services.
Resource Implications: No additional resources are required.
Action required: To approve the Jersey Air Quality Strategy and present in the R series.
Signature: AS/WP Deputy R C Duhamel Initials		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Jersey Air Quality Strategy

Report to the Minister for Planning and Environment

Approval of the Jersey Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan.

Purpose of the Report

To approve the Jersey Air Quality Strategy and project plan, in order for it to be presented to the States Assembly as a report.

Background

The requirement for an Air Quality Strategy has been identified within the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan, as an action under commitment 13. Protect and enhance our natural and built environment. The JAQS will continue to be supported through the revised strategic plan to ensure that:

...everyone in Jersey should have access to outdoor air without significant risk to their health and that there should be minimal impacts from air pollutants on the environment of Jersey or our neighbours... as evidenced by reporting according to international reporting standards

Air quality in Jersey is generally good. This is due to the location of the Island and the prevailing weather conditions that are in existence along with the limited amount of industrial and manufacturing processes. The air quality monitoring programme demonstrates that pollution levels are below thresholds of concern to human health and the environment. The JAQS has been designed to maintain this positive situation.

Information

The Jersey Air Quality Strategy (JAQS) provides a high level strategy with a set of objectives which provide a framework for ensuring that the high standard of air quality is maintained in Jersey. The strategy is supported by a detailed project plan which sets out the tasks, actions and timetable to implement the strategy.

The Strategy and Action Plan have been developed in partnership between the Department of the Environment and the Health and Social Services Department. The Department of the Environment has taken the lead on preparing the strategic framework and the Health and Social Services Department has coordinated the development of the supporting action plan. The Strategy and Action Plan pull together a number of existing work streams and provides a coordinated timetable for implementation of the required tasks.

Consultation has taken place with all relevant Departments in developing the JAQS and Action Plan.

The objectives of the JAQS have been taken from the scrutiny review report on air quality. These are listed below.

Objectives of JAQS

Identify pollutants with known potential for health and environment impacts and their potential sources [1];

Set appropriate standards [2] and objectives such that all critical loads and exceedences are mitigated to an achievable and cost effective extent’;

Set out long term air quality objectives and policy options to further improve air quality in Jersey into the long term;

Establish an air quality monitoring regime;

Set out proposals for publishing levels of local air pollution;

Be used as a basis to inform new legislation if appropriate;

Clarify roles and responsibilities in monitoring and enforcing air quality levels and for the long term delivery of the actions agreed within the Strategy.

The scope of the JAQS is ambient (outdoor) air quality. Whilst recognising the links to indoor air quality and the associated health issues, the strategy does not directly address issues in relation to indoor air quality. This has been identified as a work stream for HSS Department in the future.

Timetable

It is intended that the JAQS will be implemented with immediate effect.

Resource Implications

The resources required to deliver the initial actions of the Energy plan can be met from the existing cash limits of the Departments as listed in the Action Plan.

Recommendation

The Minister for Planning and Environment to approve the ‘Jersey Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan’ and recommend that it is presented as a report to the States Assembly.

Written by:	Senior Policy Officer

Approved by:	CEO Department of Environment

[1] Objective has been changed to ‘Identify pollutants with known potential for health and environment impacts and their potential sources’ on advice of AEA review Nov 2010

[2] Objective changed on advice of AEA Nov 2010. ‘Set appropriate standards and objectives such that all critical loads and exceedances are mitigated to an achievable and cost effective extent’