On 17 June, Clean Air Day will see schools, hospitals, workplaces and communities across the UK run events to inspire people to take simple steps to protect their health, and their families’ health, from air pollution. The monitoring we have carried out has shown the vast majority of RCT experiences good air quality. However there are some areas near busy roads which are vulnerable to poor air quality from vehicle emissions.
As an organisation, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030. That’s why we’re supporting Clean Air Day on Thursday 17th June and we are encouraging residents to join us by, leaving their cars at home where possible – walk to school, shop local and go out and explore the beautiful outdoors in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
This Clean Air Day we are asking RCT residents to pledge to work to reduce air pollution and show how much we all care about building a clean air future for our children. As we return to our lives, we must take this opportunity to create healthy environment for our children where they can learn and play safely. We have a once in a lifetime chance for change. Let’s use it.
The Council is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to Think Climate RCT by reducing its carbon footprint as much as possible and will shortly consider how to utilise surplus energy from key sites to create wind and solar power facilities to build a green circular economy - the estimated reduction in annual carbon output would exceed 25,700 tonnes.
The Council has also made plans to reduce its single use plastic usage across Council run sites and schools and is continuing to encourage procurement within the local economy. Future plans also include the investigation of investing in an electric vehicle fleet and ensuring that the draft Local Development Plan, considers its carbon impact and includes encouraging developers to utilise sustainable designs and installing charging stations.
The Council has produced Air Quality Action Plans for the areas experiencing poor air quality and aims to make a number of adjustments across the County Borough to improve overall air quality where possible, particularly in respect of managing traffic and encouraging more active travel There is also a biodiversity action plan which looks to ensure that open spaces are better utilised to encourage their natural inhabitants to flourish.
Air pollution affects your health from your first breath to your last, as the damage to our health can start when we’re a youngand carry on through into old age. But poor air quality is not a fact of life. Our air pollution crisis is solvable and there are simple steps we can all take to help our family avoid air pollution and cut down on the pollution we emit – it's good for us and good for the planet too.
Climate Change Champion and Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Wellbeing and Cultural Services, Councillor Rhys Lewis, said:
“I am delighted that the Council is supporting Clean Air Day - it’s a national day of action to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution and how we can all contribute to reducing pollution. I think it’s so important to know about the damage that pollution causes, so I’d urge everyone to stop and think about what they can do to help improve air quality and reduce the harm from pollution. We’re lucky to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country - let’s keep it that way by working together to care for our environment."
RCT Council recently launched its lets talk Climate Change conversation #ThinkClimateRCT, which is encouraging residents to take part in sharing thoughts and ideas on how we can all make a difference – visit https://lets-talk.rctcbc.gov.uk/ to take part.
All the information on how to get involved in Clean Air Day is available from the Clean Air Day website www.cleanairday.org.uk/Wales The Clean Air Hub website also provides a large amount of advice on air pollution, including what actions people and their local communities can take to improve air quality.
Posted on 16/06/2021