The climate crisis has risen to the top of the political agenda; 65% of all 353 local authorities and eight combined authorities have declared climate emergencies. This is commendable, but the reality is that there is little councils can do about a crisis that requires international action.
One way they can improve people's lives is by combating air pollution. A Centre for Cities study found recently that more than one in 19 deaths in UK cities and large towns are caused by toxic air – that makes you 25 times more likely to be killed by pollution than in a car crash.