Air quality
Publications
Articulating public values in environmental policy development: report on the Citizens’ Jury on Air Quality
Twenty two members of the public were recruited last year from a range of rural, urban and city environments across the West Midlands to take part in a discussion on air quality. They were asked to consider what improvements they would like to see in air quality and how these should be achieved.
The jury identified the questions they wanted answered, and heard evidence from a range of air quality experts, with an opportunity to cross-examine ‘witnesses’. They formulated recommendations for action based around six themes – education, technology, transport, industry, regulation, and lifestyle choices.
Key conclusions from the report include:
- that it is the responsibility of everyone to take action and vital that the public is better informed about how they can help;
- that industry should continue to strive to improve products and processes through technological developments;
- that financial incentives, rather than penalties such as taxes, have a role to play in encouraging behaviour change;
- that regulation should be light touch so as to not disadvantage UK industry’s competitiveness or poorer individuals in society; and that
- Government has a wider role in the development of an infrastructure that will encourage and support behaviour change.
Report and appendices
- Summary of report (PDF 100 KB)
- Final report (PDF 400 KB)
- Report appendices (PDF 900 KB)
Defra will publish a formal response to the jurors’ recommendations in due course.
Background
In 2006, Defra commissioned a project to assess the benefits of one form of public participation known as a ‘Citizens Jury’ in policy making. A citizens jury is a form of public consultation which brings together a group of citizens to deliberate a particular issue and provide recommendations on what action is required, who should be responsible and potential approaches to tackling the issues.
Speaking about Citizens Juries in September 2007, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he wished to harness the "experience and wisdom" of the British people and develop new ways and means of bringing citizens together.
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Page published 31 October 2007