Breathe Easy - DPD's virtual event exploring the challenges of clean air in UK cities
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Breathe Easy DPD’s virtual event exploring the challenges of clean air in UK cities
DPD held its first-ever virtual
event on the topic of clean air
in our cities. Almost 500 people
joined us from businesses,
associated charities,
government, science and the
Green space to explore some
of the steps being taken to
reduce air pollution. A group of
expert speakers each outlined
the innovative methods their
organisations are employing to
track air quality and what must
be done to improve it.
Watch the full panel All of the speakers’ presentations
discussion here: slides can be found here:
bit.ly/3bJ6YEl bit.ly/3r5Jikc
Watch the full presentation View the speakers’ presentations
We heard from:
Rachel Burden
Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
Straight after presenting BBC 5 Live Breakfast, Rachel joined us at DPD
Breathe Easy to moderate the event and ensure we had an engaging
panel discussion. Rachel is an electric vehicle owner and passionate
about cleaner air for all.
Dr Francis Pope
Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Birmingham
Dr Francis Pope is an expert on the air particulates that are invisible to
the human eye but hold the biggest threat to human health.
Oliver Lord
Head of Policy and Campaigns, Environmental Defense Fund
Oliver spoke about the disparity in air quality across the UK, and some
positive steps we can take to change this.
Tom Byrne
Head of Sustainability, ASOS
Tom shared ASOS’s plans for a sustainable future, with one step being to
use DPD electric vans to deliver their parcels.
Olly Craughan
Head of CSR, DPD
Olly is Head of CSR and outlined DPD’s air quality monitor programme
Project Breathe that will help build awareness, and provide essential data
that can make the invisible, visible so our cities can be better places to
live and breathe.
He also talked viewers through our Green Strategy and how we will
deliver DPD’s 25-25-25 Vision to deliver 100million parcels on all-electric
vehicles to 25 cities across the UK by 2025.
Geraint Davies
Member of Parliament
Geraint is Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Air Pollution, and
addressed the need for action within the private sector to help improve
the air we breathe. ‘As we emerge out of Covid, we really do need to
electrify our whole transport system.’
What our
presenters had
to say:
Dr Francis Pope Watch Dr Francis’s full
presentation at:
youtu.be/GZbBLLNwDDY
The Science behind
Watch the presentation
Air Pollution
The focus for Francis’s research is
particulate matter (PM) air pollution
A human hair is typically 70 microns in diameter, and air pollution
particles are 10 microns
As these particles get smaller, they are worse for our health
Scientists can now image the air pollution in cities to make the invisible
visible
Scientists are also
working to identify
who is vulnerable to
air pollution
The UK has limited
sites measuring air
pollution, which is
why DPD’s work is so
exciting
This image shows where the different size particles end up in our body
Oliver Lord
Watch Oliver’s full
presentation at:
youtu.be/1337zjiV1NM
Global Clean Air Watch the presentation
1 billion people lack information about the
air they breathe
We need to identify air pollution hotspots so we can take action
quickly
We need diesel-free cities
There must be more incentives for all-electric vehicles, hence what
DPD is doing is great
Tyres and brakeware must be included in our plans, and more cycling
infrastructure is essential
We must also rethink our road networks to transform roads where
people live
Watch Tom’s full
Tom Byrne presentation at:
youtu.be/yQxo7ZXeM7U
Operational Sustainability Watch the presentation
Since 2016, ASOS has reduced emissions
from its operation by 30%, the equivalent
of avoiding 130,000 tonnes of CO2 every
year
ASOS works with partners such as DPD UK who have shared
environmental goals
Other areas of focus include consolidated (one stop) deliveries and
returns
ASOS chooses partners that share its environmental values
Watch Olly’s full
Olly Craughan presentation at:
youtu.be/xQ9N5A8vKlY
DPD’s Green Vision Watch the presentation
Olly outlined how Project Breathe
measures air pollution at street level in
London
He explained how the project will extend to 5 more cities with over
400 sensors
This will provide 1.5million readings on pollution levels daily
The data allows local government and academic institutions to see
pollution hotspots and specific times that pollution is an issue.
DPD’s one hour delivery notifications will also share that data with
consumers
DPD’s Green Vision includes decarbonising our fleet throughout the
UK
25-25-25 Vision will see 25 cities across the UK receiving deliveries via
all-electric vehicles by 2025
By the end of
2025, over 100
million, parcels
will be delivered
with zero
emissions (20
million by end of
2021)
DPD’s sensors capture air pollution data at street level
Watch Geraint’s full
Geraint Davies presentation at:
youtu.be/mHPL6eSqtCw
Keynote Speaker Watch the presentation
What DPD is doing is
important to inform the
public and promote change
Each year there are 64,000 premature
deaths in the UK due to air pollution, 7million
worldwide
Air pollution creates wide-ranging health
issues in the young, old and unborn
The Environment Bill still going through
Parliament must have enforceable WHO air
quality limits in it
All government parties must work together
to achieve the WHO targets
We must switch more quickly to all-electric
modes of transport
Children must be safe, with indoor air quality
as well as outdoor
DPD taking leadership in this area is welcome
Andy Street Watch Andy’s full
presentation at:
youtu.be/fQA0_ONpsCI
Mayor of the
Watch the presentation
West Midlands
Andy prepared a video message for us
to share with the panel. He included an
encouraging statistic that an additional
270 miles of cycle paths will be introduced
to encourage more people to leave their
cars behind.
He also praised DPD for moving 10% of its vehicles to all-
electric and called on both the public and private sector to do
more.
Rosamund
Adoo-Kissi-Debrah
WHO Advocate and Watch Andy’s full
presentation at:
founder of the Ella Roberta youtu.be/M8X2P_WgrzMI
Family Foundation Watch the presentation
Rosamund explained the need for more public awareness on the
matter of air quality. She set the Foundation up when her daughter
died as a result of air pollution. Her poignant pre-recorded message
was a heart-felt appeal for us all to play our part in creating cleaner air.
Clean, green delivery
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