The latest round of funding for local projects to improve air quality across England has been announced by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Local authorities can now bid for a portion of at least £2m from the Air Quality Grant scheme for a wide range of projects aimed at helping schools, businesses, and communities reduce the health impacts of air pollution.
Since it was established in 1997, the Air Quality Grant scheme has awarded around £64.5m to a variety of projects that have contributed to an improvement in air quality in the UK in recent decades, with levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) having reduced by 9% since 2010, and nitrogen dioxide emissions from vehicles currently at their lowest levels since records began.
UK transport minister, Rachel Maclean, said: “I’m delighted to see the launch of the next round of funding for councils in towns and cities across the country to help reduce transport emissions and improve air quality for our local communities.
“From schools, to local businesses and households, it’s vital that we support a diverse range of projects to create cleaner, greener and healthier places to live.”
Defra said the grant application process is competitive and projects that tackle PM2.5 will be particularly welcomed.
Applications for the grant open from 2 September and close at 12pm on 14 October 2020.
