Imperial academics discuss air quality with Government’s Transport department

Imperial academics presented their research on air quality and emissions to the Government's Department for Transport. The event was organised jointly as part of the department 's learning and development series, and The Forum , Imperial's policy engagement programme. Dr Audrey de Nazelle , from Imperial's Centre for Environmental Policy, and Dr Marc Stettler , at the Centre for Transport Studies, led the event alongside the Department for Transport's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Phil Blythe. Holistic thinking in air quality policy. Dr De Nazelle urged the policy professionals to use integrated health impact models for better decision making in transport. "As we look at bringing in a wider suite of policies and technologies to mitigate air quality, I think it is critical we have research like we have heard today underpinning the evidence base." Professor Phil Blythe Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Transport Emphasising the need to make our environments healthier, Dr De Nazelle argued that we need joined up thinking on transport policies, rather than looking at individual targets separately. Dr De Nazelle drew from studies, such as one in Barcelona, to demonstrate the possibilities of combining traffic reduction and a shift to physical activity such as walking and cycling.