Air quality in Scotland

thumbnail of UNISON Evidence Air Quality in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee is conducting an inquiry into air quality in Scotland.

Poor air quality now represents the greatest threat to human health and could be contributing to around 15,000 early deaths in Scotland every year. Transport is a major cause of pollution, particularly in urban areas.

In this submission we support a range of measures to reduce pollution and manage emissions. However, it is essential that the necessary infrastructure, including effective public transport, is in place before measures that penalise workers are introduced. Such measures also have to reflect the duties and work patterns of workers, particularly in the public sector, who have no practical alternatives to car use.