Scottish Air Quality Advisory Group minutes: May 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Mathew Williams, Scottish Government, Chief Scientific Adviser (Chair)
• Andrew Taylor, Scottish Government (Secretariat)
• Graham Applegate, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Clare Beattie, Air Quality Consultants Ltd.
• Jill Belch, University of Dundee/NHS Tayside
• Ruth Doherty, University of Edinburgh
• Ulli Dragosits, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Mathew Heal, University of Edinburgh
• James Heydon, University of Nottingham
• Mark Miller, University of Edinburgh
• Eiko Nemitz, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Stuart Sneddon, Ricardo
• Marsailidh Twigg, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Massimo Vieno, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Apologies

• Jim Mills, Scotswolds Ltd.
• Heather Price, University of Stirling

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies

The Chair welcomed members to the initial meeting of the Group and summarised the Group’s role and purpose.

Introductions

Group members introduced themselves and briefly summarised their backgrounds and relevant experience.

Declaration of interests

The Chair confirmed that potential conflicts of interests would be mainly around finance related issues and anything involving personal gain by being a member of the Group.

A member asked whether multiple members from one organisation on the Group would be an issue. The Chair confirmed that members are expected to present their personal views and not those of the organisation which employs them.

A member asked whether writing evidence based articles for the general public would be a conflict of interest. The Chair confirmed that it wouldn’t be.

No other declarations of interest were raised that would have implications for the Group’s activities.

Agreement of terms of reference

Group members agreed that a confidentiality section should be added to the terms of reference. 

A member asked about the Scottish Government’s position on indoor air quality. The Chair confirmed that the remit of the Group is to focus solely on outdoor air quality, but encompassing the outdoor/indoor interface, notably domestic fuel combustion. It was suggested that this should be clarified in the terms of reference.

The value of in person meetings was highlighted. It was agreed that some meetings could be held in person or hybrid.

No other comments were made on the draft.

Action: Scottish Government to add a confidentiality section to the draft terms of reference, further clarification around the position on indoor air quality, and the option for in person meetings, and circulate to Group members for any further comment and sign off.

Introductory presentation

The Scottish Government provided some additional background and context around the proposals set out in the discussion paper.

A member asked whether ozone is part of the proposals for updated objectives. The Scottish Government confirmed that this is not part of initial considerations but may be brought in at a later stage depending on views.

A member asked whether impacts of air pollution on the natural environment are being considered in addition to human health. The Scottish Government confirmed that this is part of the proposals but would be discussed at a subsequent meeting of the Group.

Action: Scottish Government to share slides with Group members.

Discussion on long term policy framework proposals paper

The Group discussed the proposals set out in the long term policy framework paper. The main points arising from the discussion were:

• there is a significant transboundary component to total particulate matter (PM) which is outwith the direct control of Scottish Government policy.  Collaboration with the other UK nations will be necessary to support further air quality improvements in Scotland. The Chair indicated that this could potentially be covered in meetings with the Chief Scientific Advisers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which could then feed back to the Group
• the Group’s advice notes could be shared with the UK Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) and Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP) for additional feedback
• in addition to total PM, individual fractions and components require further consideration
• the current evidence base should be clarified to allow a reasonable assessment of whether the proposed new targets are feasible, achievable and at an appropriate level of ambition
• the technological challenges of measuring pollutant levels at very low concentrations is a potential issue in assessing progress
• whether removal of natural/background components of PM for assessment purposes, as is done in the EU, would be appropriate for Scotland
• many of the proposed new objectives for Scotland, in particular daily objectives and exposure reduction targets, have been chosen to align with updated EU limit values, the evidence base which the EU has used should be clarified
• further Scotland specific evidence will be needed to support the feasibility of the proposed new objectives
• given the relatively short period to 2030, it is unlikely that anything more than a modest level of ambition will be feasible
• a greater focus on emissions and source contributions could help to drive further air quality improvements
• local authorities will continue to be responsible for much of the delivery of further air quality improvements - a review of whether the current Local Air Quality Management system will continue to be fit for purpose or whether a new approach is required will be necessary
• the role of climate change in influencing air quality over the longer term will be important

Action: Scottish Government to draft an advice note based on the main discussion points and circulate to the Group for comment.

Any other business

A member asked whether an email distribution list and shared folder will be set up.

Action: Scottish Government to set these up.

The Scottish Government confirmed that an in person workshop will be held on 10 June to present the proposals to a wider audience.

Action: Scottish Government to circulate details of the workshop to Group members.

Date of next meeting

To be decided, but likely in early autumn.