• Tackling air pollution and breaches of legal limits (at least 115 people are estimated to die prematurely in the city annually due to particulate matter
• Reducing the city’s carbon emissions to meet targets, which are currently being missed
• Improving waste reduction and recycling
• Delivering the Local Biodiversity Action Plan

In addition it has listed action under four headings which it feels are essential for safeguarding people’s quality of life, including their health, reducing long term costs, particularly for bodies such as the NHS, and boosting the local economy. The four headings are: Biosphere, Housing, Transport and Waste and Resources. The full manifesto can be viewed online at http://bhfoe.org/

Chris Todd, planning and transport campaigner for BHFOE said:

“This manifesto demonstrates why looking after the environment should be at the heart of all policy making: if we reduce pollution, we save money and are healthier and happier.

“We need to invest in solutions which, in the longer term, will reduce costs while improving our quality of life. It’s a win, win situation and we hope politicians will see the sense in joined up local government. They need to recognise that tackling environmental concerns also addresses issues such as equality, the cost of living crisis and ever increasing demands on the NHS.

“Ultimately, this is about creating a city that is fit for people: One that looks after people’s health and happiness, as well as their wallets.”