WM-Air Impact Report

Abstract

WM-Air enabled regional partners, ranging from local authorities to SMEs, to access state-of-the-science research expertise to improve policy and actions for clean air, providing environmental, societal and economic benefits for the people of the West Midlands and beyond. Co-designed with stakeholders and supported by NERC funding from 2019-2024, WM-Air has worked collaboratively with over 100 organisations and end-users of research to deliver 45 impact projects which have informed, influenced and improved local and regional actions for clean air. WM-Air impact has been delivered through over 160 engagement events, producing over 200 reports and other outputs, 16 regional policy briefings and guidance notes, leveraging and influencing over £40m of investments, and delivering GVA benefit estimated to reach £34m by 2028. Media reach is estimated at >650m from over 150 stories, interviews and reports. The project has trained and developed a regional air quality Community of Practice, now supported through legacy funding via the WMCA, produced 46 scientific journal articles and supported 25 student (PhD, MSc, BSc) projects. Ranging from implementation of the first regional Clean Air Framework with the WMCA; development of new products with start-up businesses; projects with all regional local authorities and a range of other bodies; public exhibitions, citizen panels and a “sounding out pollution” artwork, the project has delivered Clean Air Science for the West Midlands, and an exemplar for regional impact from NERC environmental science