On Wednesday 08 February, Sarah Horrocks, Chair of the Air Quality Taskforce, and Michael Lunn, EIC Policy Manager, met with the Deputy Head of Air Quality and Industrial Emissions at DEFRA and two colleagues.

They talked about the EIC’s objectives for the year and gained insight into the current structure and priorities for DEFRA, notably delivering the recently published Environmental Improvement Plan. 

EIC Member and Chair of EIC Air Quality Taskforce Sarah Horrocks, Atkins, said: “I thought it was a really positive meeting, gaining an insight into DEFRA’s short to medium term priorities, and sharing some of EIC member’s concerns and ambitions.

"All of which bodes well for building our relationship with the department in the future and placing us in a good position to support delivery of the Governments Environmental Improvement Plan”.

DEFRA noted they are banking on innovation for hitting the 2040 targets and it was clear EIC members’ contribution to this will be key.  Takeaways from the Innovate UK research into the Clean Air Tech sector were discussed, including blockers and drivers for innovation, as well as members’ concerns such as taxation and procurement, and the need for clear government messaging to drive behavioural change.