Patrick Lee
@patrickjalee.bsky.social
Comms Manager for Impact on Urban Health, focusing on health, air pollution, and climate.
What's new about the Govt's new Environment Improvement Plan? Is it it ambitious enough? And what does it mean for air quality?
Enjoyed working on this one with @benrpearce.bsky.social
Enjoyed working on this one with @benrpearce.bsky.social
"Is the Government is just committing to levels it’s already close to meeting?
"Not quite. The Government’s ambition looks very different when viewed through the lens of exposure and inequality."
@benrpearce.bsky.social for @air-quality-news.bsky.social
"Not quite. The Government’s ambition looks very different when viewed through the lens of exposure and inequality."
@benrpearce.bsky.social for @air-quality-news.bsky.social
The EIP: Setting targets is easy. Delivery is hard
Ben Pearce, Head of the Health Effects of Air Pollution at Impact on Urban Health, welcomes ambitious air quality targets but says the harder work of delivery starts now. The Government’s new Environm...
airqualitynews.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:13 PM
What's new about the Govt's new Environment Improvement Plan? Is it it ambitious enough? And what does it mean for air quality?
Enjoyed working on this one with @benrpearce.bsky.social
Enjoyed working on this one with @benrpearce.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Lee
It was positive to see the EIP published earlier this week.
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Ben Pearce @benrpearce.bsky.social, Head of our Health Effects of Air Pollution programme:
"Every year in the UK, air pollution contributes to up to 43,000 premature deaths." 🧵👇1/2
airqualitynews.com/editors-pick...
"Every year in the UK, air pollution contributes to up to 43,000 premature deaths." 🧵👇1/2
airqualitynews.com/editors-pick...
Environmental Improvement Plan sets out UK's air quality ambitions - AirQualityNews
The Government has today launched its Environmental Improvement Plan, setting out goals and commitments to improving the natural environment and outlining measures to improve air quality and the…
airqualitynews.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It was positive to see the EIP published earlier this week.
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Reposted by Patrick Lee
🚨Great news! Limit for UK’s most dangerous air pollutant, PM2.5, is being cut to 10 µg/m³ by 2030.
🔥New Environmental Improvement Plan aims to reduce emissions at source.
👏Kudos to Emma Reynolds and Defra for setting ambitious targets.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
🔥New Environmental Improvement Plan aims to reduce emissions at source.
👏Kudos to Emma Reynolds and Defra for setting ambitious targets.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025
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www.gov.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:22 PM
🚨Great news! Limit for UK’s most dangerous air pollutant, PM2.5, is being cut to 10 µg/m³ by 2030.
🔥New Environmental Improvement Plan aims to reduce emissions at source.
👏Kudos to Emma Reynolds and Defra for setting ambitious targets.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
🔥New Environmental Improvement Plan aims to reduce emissions at source.
👏Kudos to Emma Reynolds and Defra for setting ambitious targets.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
#BanDiesel | @london.gov.uk pledged he'd restore London's #AirQuality to legal and safe levels in 2016. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are neither. In a way, we're back where we thought we were 20 years ago after @who.int slashed guideline levels in 2021. We need zero air emission buses and buildings
November 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
#BanDiesel | @london.gov.uk pledged he'd restore London's #AirQuality to legal and safe levels in 2016. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are neither. In a way, we're back where we thought we were 20 years ago after @who.int slashed guideline levels in 2021. We need zero air emission buses and buildings
Reposted by Patrick Lee
🔔London meets clean air laws🔔
Great news that London has finally met legal limits for NO2, proving that bold action on dirty air delivers real results.
This is a crucial milestone towards reaching World Health Organization guidelines as soon as possible. 1/
www.london.gov.uk/london-meets...
Great news that London has finally met legal limits for NO2, proving that bold action on dirty air delivers real results.
This is a crucial milestone towards reaching World Health Organization guidelines as soon as possible. 1/
www.london.gov.uk/london-meets...
London meets legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s world leading air pollution policies
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today hailed the success of his bold air quality policies which have led to the capital’s air pollution levels falling to within the legal limit for the first time.
www.london.gov.uk
September 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
🔔London meets clean air laws🔔
Great news that London has finally met legal limits for NO2, proving that bold action on dirty air delivers real results.
This is a crucial milestone towards reaching World Health Organization guidelines as soon as possible. 1/
www.london.gov.uk/london-meets...
Great news that London has finally met legal limits for NO2, proving that bold action on dirty air delivers real results.
This is a crucial milestone towards reaching World Health Organization guidelines as soon as possible. 1/
www.london.gov.uk/london-meets...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
📢Our Amplifying Voices strand partners with the communities who are most affected by air pollution to advocate for change.
♥️As part of that strand, we're proud to support the Ella Roberta Foundation's work to protect children from air pollution.
youtu.be/5xDn-UZQN-U
♥️As part of that strand, we're proud to support the Ella Roberta Foundation's work to protect children from air pollution.
youtu.be/5xDn-UZQN-U
Amplifying Voices: Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, The Ella Roberta Foundation
At Impact on Urban Health, we believe the people whose health is most affected by air pollution should be at the heart of the solutions to improve it. Our Amplifying Voices strand supports the…
youtu.be
September 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
📢Our Amplifying Voices strand partners with the communities who are most affected by air pollution to advocate for change.
♥️As part of that strand, we're proud to support the Ella Roberta Foundation's work to protect children from air pollution.
youtu.be/5xDn-UZQN-U
♥️As part of that strand, we're proud to support the Ella Roberta Foundation's work to protect children from air pollution.
youtu.be/5xDn-UZQN-U
Brill reporting. Most people underestimate the social cost of diesel vans.
Diesel delivery vans cost London alone over £2 *billion* every year.
Diesel delivery vans cost London alone over £2 *billion* every year.
September 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Brill reporting. Most people underestimate the social cost of diesel vans.
Diesel delivery vans cost London alone over £2 *billion* every year.
Diesel delivery vans cost London alone over £2 *billion* every year.
From air pollution, to food poverty and extreme heat: I wrote about how the climate crisis is affecting health in towns and cities:
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
Our changing climate is an urban health emergency
The climate crisis is making urban areas increasingly dangerous places to live, with marginalised communities in cities the most affected.
urbanhealth.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 7:26 AM
From air pollution, to food poverty and extreme heat: I wrote about how the climate crisis is affecting health in towns and cities:
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
"In Delhi, the researchers found particles from industrial pollution, including chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, laminates and adhesives, and in recycling electronic waste. Particle pollution from traffic was greatest in Delhi."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How farm fires intensify Delhi’s post-monsoon smog problem
Extreme air pollution from farming fires meets high population density, causing substantial harm to health
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
"In Delhi, the researchers found particles from industrial pollution, including chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, laminates and adhesives, and in recycling electronic waste. Particle pollution from traffic was greatest in Delhi."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🚨Major new report on #CleanAirDay.
📉Air pollution costs the UK more than £500m a week, with 99% of the population breathing toxic air, according to
@rcphysicians.bsky.social.
💀It also kills more than 500 people a week, and harms almost every organ in the body.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📉Air pollution costs the UK more than £500m a week, with 99% of the population breathing toxic air, according to
@rcphysicians.bsky.social.
💀It also kills more than 500 people a week, and harms almost every organ in the body.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK air pollution killing more than 500 people a week, doctors say
Royal College of Physicians also says poor air quality costs country more than £500m a week
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:43 AM
🚨Major new report on #CleanAirDay.
📉Air pollution costs the UK more than £500m a week, with 99% of the population breathing toxic air, according to
@rcphysicians.bsky.social.
💀It also kills more than 500 people a week, and harms almost every organ in the body.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📉Air pollution costs the UK more than £500m a week, with 99% of the population breathing toxic air, according to
@rcphysicians.bsky.social.
💀It also kills more than 500 people a week, and harms almost every organ in the body.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The effects of moving to an area with worse air pollution are not confined to mental health.
"A 10-year study in southern California also showed that lung growth improved for children that moved to areas with less particle pollution."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"A 10-year study in southern California also showed that lung growth improved for children that moved to areas with less particle pollution."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How does air pollution affect mental health? New study aimed to find out
Research looked at records of 14,800 people in Bradford to see what happened after they moved to more polluted area
www.theguardian.com
June 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
"The effects of moving to an area with worse air pollution are not confined to mental health.
"A 10-year study in southern California also showed that lung growth improved for children that moved to areas with less particle pollution."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"A 10-year study in southern California also showed that lung growth improved for children that moved to areas with less particle pollution."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
What does the Government's spending review mean for health in urban areas?👇
🍎 We welcome the Government’s #SpendingReview decision to expand #FreeSchoolMeals to children in families receiving Universal Credit.
🏙️ But more investment is needed to address health inequalities, especially in urban areas.
Read our response 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/pol...
🏙️ But more investment is needed to address health inequalities, especially in urban areas.
Read our response 👇
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/pol...
A healthier future starts with children: Our response to the spending review
Read our response to the UK Government's recently announced spending review.
urbanhealth.org.uk
June 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM
What does the Government's spending review mean for health in urban areas?👇
Reposted by Patrick Lee
Improve air quality: Access to healthy food is vital for a healthy society. So is clean air.
The Govt can protect children from toxic air pollution. Bold national action, like a new Clean Air Act, would be an investment in better public health: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
The Govt can protect children from toxic air pollution. Bold national action, like a new Clean Air Act, would be an investment in better public health: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
Improving air quality must be central to Labour’s health mission
Action would help to save money and reduce social inequalities. Matt Towner writes for New Statesman.
urbanhealth.org.uk
June 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Improve air quality: Access to healthy food is vital for a healthy society. So is clean air.
The Govt can protect children from toxic air pollution. Bold national action, like a new Clean Air Act, would be an investment in better public health: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
The Govt can protect children from toxic air pollution. Bold national action, like a new Clean Air Act, would be an investment in better public health: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/opi...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
🚨Fantastic news! The Govt is expanding free school meals to families on Universal Credit, a vital investment in children's long-term health.
But there are more ways the Govt can now build on these foundations for a healthier society 🧵👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
But there are more ways the Govt can now build on these foundations for a healthier society 🧵👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bus fares to jobs: Seven ways the Spending Review affects you
Spending limits for government departments are being outlined by the chancellor. This is how it affects you.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🚨Fantastic news! The Govt is expanding free school meals to families on Universal Credit, a vital investment in children's long-term health.
But there are more ways the Govt can now build on these foundations for a healthier society 🧵👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
But there are more ways the Govt can now build on these foundations for a healthier society 🧵👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
🚧 Construction sites contribute significantly to air pollution.
Discover how we're using data to target interventions and improve urban health.
🔗 Read more: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
Discover how we're using data to target interventions and improve urban health.
🔗 Read more: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
Using data to reduce air pollution from construction sites
The Air Pollution Risk Index tool identified areas where improving air quality could have the biggest benefit on people’s health.
urbanhealth.org.uk
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
🚧 Construction sites contribute significantly to air pollution.
Discover how we're using data to target interventions and improve urban health.
🔗 Read more: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
Discover how we're using data to target interventions and improve urban health.
🔗 Read more: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
Very interesting article on how policymakers view social media through the lens of cycling policy.
The key insight for cycling advocates is how many undermine the agenda through being too negative: a constructive approach is much better, plus email (1/2)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The key insight for cycling advocates is how many undermine the agenda through being too negative: a constructive approach is much better, plus email (1/2)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Does social media influence local elected leaders? A study of online engagement methods through the lens of cycling policymaking in the United Kingdom
Social media can be sold as a way to improve grassroots citizen engagement, yet the ways in which it affects decisions made by local elected leaders are less well understood. This study examines th...
www.tandfonline.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Very interesting article on how policymakers view social media through the lens of cycling policy.
The key insight for cycling advocates is how many undermine the agenda through being too negative: a constructive approach is much better, plus email (1/2)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The key insight for cycling advocates is how many undermine the agenda through being too negative: a constructive approach is much better, plus email (1/2)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Not sure if you've seen this, but if not you might find it interesting:
www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/evidence-res...
www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/evidence-res...
Policy pathway to reduce air pollution by phasing out domestic burning by 2030
Wood burning in our homes is a key cause of air pollution and has significant impacts both on people’s health and the environment. We outline five critical problems which currently act as barriers to ...
www.actionforcleanair.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Not sure if you've seen this, but if not you might find it interesting:
www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/evidence-res...
www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/evidence-res...
Impact on Urban Health are doing loads on wood burning:
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk/partnerships...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk/partnerships...
The Government’s backward step on wood-burning stoves puts public health and climate action at risk
The Government's decision to permit wood-burning stoves in new builds contradicts growing evidence about the harmful effects these stoves have on public health and the environment.
urbanhealth.org.uk
May 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Impact on Urban Health are doing loads on wood burning:
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk/partnerships...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk/partnerships...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
In an open letter to Keir Starmer, campaigners at Enact Equality have called on ministers to "take decisive and immediate action to confront one of the most urgent, yet persistently under-reported justice issues" across the UK...
Air pollution 🧵
www.mylondon.news/news/uk-worl...
Air pollution 🧵
www.mylondon.news/news/uk-worl...
Air pollution disproportionately harming marginalised groups, government told
An open letter from activists urged the government to "take decisive and immediate action to confront one of the most urgent, yet persistently under-reported justice issues" across the UK
www.mylondon.news
May 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
In an open letter to Keir Starmer, campaigners at Enact Equality have called on ministers to "take decisive and immediate action to confront one of the most urgent, yet persistently under-reported justice issues" across the UK...
Air pollution 🧵
www.mylondon.news/news/uk-worl...
Air pollution 🧵
www.mylondon.news/news/uk-worl...
Reposted by Patrick Lee
Our wonderful data team have developed a dashboard that highlights the wards in Lambeth & Southwark where
🫁People are most at risk of exposure to air pollution due to existing health conditions and social determinants
🏭There are highest existing levels of air pollution
Do check out the dashboard!
🫁People are most at risk of exposure to air pollution due to existing health conditions and social determinants
🏭There are highest existing levels of air pollution
Do check out the dashboard!
🧠 We’re using data to drive impact: Our new Air Pollution Risk Index highlights neighbourhoods where improving air quality could deliver the greatest health benefits.
🔗 Discover how it works: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
🔗 Discover how it works: urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/dat...
Using data to reduce air pollution from construction sites
The Air Pollution Risk Index tool identified areas where improving air quality could have the biggest benefit on people’s health.
urbanhealth.org.uk
May 15, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Our wonderful data team have developed a dashboard that highlights the wards in Lambeth & Southwark where
🫁People are most at risk of exposure to air pollution due to existing health conditions and social determinants
🏭There are highest existing levels of air pollution
Do check out the dashboard!
🫁People are most at risk of exposure to air pollution due to existing health conditions and social determinants
🏭There are highest existing levels of air pollution
Do check out the dashboard!
Reposted by Patrick Lee
EU Member States have highlighted their commitment to protecting children’s health by adopting new binding #AirPollution targets. When will our Labour government afford the same #Health protections to our children @emmahardymp.bsky.social?
May 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
EU Member States have highlighted their commitment to protecting children’s health by adopting new binding #AirPollution targets. When will our Labour government afford the same #Health protections to our children @emmahardymp.bsky.social?
Kudos to @hfcouncil.bsky.social 👏 for prioritising people's health and the environment:
"The council noted that private wood-burners have contributed to the most severe smog episodes recorded in London during recent winters."
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
"The council noted that private wood-burners have contributed to the most severe smog episodes recorded in London during recent winters."
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
London council plans garden bonfire ban to tackle harmful air pollution
The plan by Hammersmith and Fulham Council involves creating a new by-law to prevent residents from burning household or garden waste
www.standard.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Kudos to @hfcouncil.bsky.social 👏 for prioritising people's health and the environment:
"The council noted that private wood-burners have contributed to the most severe smog episodes recorded in London during recent winters."
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
"The council noted that private wood-burners have contributed to the most severe smog episodes recorded in London during recent winters."
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
🔥The Government’s backward step on wood-burning stoves puts public health and climate action at risk.
The Govt is ignoring guidance from
@thecccuk.bsky.social, Defra, and the Chief Medical Officer.
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
The Govt is ignoring guidance from
@thecccuk.bsky.social, Defra, and the Chief Medical Officer.
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
The Government’s backward step on wood-burning stoves puts public health and climate action at risk
The Government's decision to permit wood-burning stoves in new builds contradicts growing evidence about the harmful effects these stoves have on public health and the environment.
urbanhealth.org.uk
May 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
🔥The Government’s backward step on wood-burning stoves puts public health and climate action at risk.
The Govt is ignoring guidance from
@thecccuk.bsky.social, Defra, and the Chief Medical Officer.
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
The Govt is ignoring guidance from
@thecccuk.bsky.social, Defra, and the Chief Medical Officer.
urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/new...
Results on LEZ and ULEZ from Uni of Bath:
✅Improvements in general health
🫁Decrease in respiratory issues
🤒People 18.5% less likely to take sick leave
😃People report feeling happier
😳People feel less anxious
airqualitynews.com/local-govern...
✅Improvements in general health
🫁Decrease in respiratory issues
🤒People 18.5% less likely to take sick leave
😃People report feeling happier
😳People feel less anxious
airqualitynews.com/local-govern...
Reduced sick leave among the benefits of London’s ULEZ
A team from the University of Bath has found that the progressive improvements to London’s air quality by the introduction of increasingly stringent restrictions on vehicles, has led to a notable drop...
airqualitynews.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Results on LEZ and ULEZ from Uni of Bath:
✅Improvements in general health
🫁Decrease in respiratory issues
🤒People 18.5% less likely to take sick leave
😃People report feeling happier
😳People feel less anxious
airqualitynews.com/local-govern...
✅Improvements in general health
🫁Decrease in respiratory issues
🤒People 18.5% less likely to take sick leave
😃People report feeling happier
😳People feel less anxious
airqualitynews.com/local-govern...