Ella's Law

Research by Dhevina Maaran

The Basis of Ella’s Law

Ella Kissi-Debrah, a 9-year-old girl with severe asthma, died in 2013. A coroner made legal history by declaring that the cause of her death was due in part to air pollution exposure. The failure to reduce pollution to the legal limits played a role in Ella’s death. This ruling was groundbreaking as it was the first of its kind in the UK, exposing the fact that this child died due to the emission levels exceeding both EU and national limits legally. Ella is the first person who has had air pollution listed as a cause of death. Following her death, there has been a new Bill proposed by the government called ‘Ella’s law’ which would make the right to clean air a human right. The Bill is pivotal for the UK’s environmental legislation with things that the government had previously refused to put into the Environmental Act included in this proposed Bill. For example, the air quality target limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Significance

The Bill itself is ground-breaking as it would ensure the protection of current and future generations and their right to enjoy clean air. If the Bill is passed, individuals will have the option to challenge regulatory bodies on empty promises and targets that they have previously set and push for change. The Bill was introduced by Baroness Jenny Jones (Green party member/peer). Baroness Jenny Jones wants this Bill to be passed as it would enshrine the right to clean air. The Bill will also set up a Commission which will oversee government action in relation to air pollution.

Baroness Jenny Jones

When Baroness Jenny Jones was asked whether she thinks the Bill will be passed she commented that she has been working on this issue for over 20 years and thinks this is the best chance to hold the government accountable. She continued by saying that the government will likely argue that air pollution has come a long way and improved in the last few decades. While she agrees that it has, the threat that air pollution poses has also grown and therefore, she believes it remains essential that this Bill is passed to continue to hold the government responsible for the growing threat posed by air pollution.

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