Policy paper

Terms of reference: Air Pollution Awareness Coalition (APAC)

Published 3 July 2026

1. Purpose of the coalition

The Air Pollution Awareness Coalition (APAC) brings together communicators and experts from government, the health sector, academia and civil society to deliver practical, trusted communications that improve public understanding of air pollution and support action to reduce harm.

The coalition aims to:

• enable clear, consistent and evidence-based public communications on air pollution that can be confidently used by partners
• support greater reach and impact by aligning messaging across government, health and civil society
• amplify the voices of health professionals and community organisations, recognising their role as trusted messengers
• support positive behaviour change by helping the public understand risks, actions and benefits
• ensure coalition outputs are actively disseminated, used and adapted across sectors and settings

2. Scope

The coalition will:

• develop shared communication resources (toolkits, narratives, evidence packs)
• co-ordinate messaging on major national campaigns and events
• shape common language, framing, and priorities across departments and partners
• identify and share opportunities for aligned activities
• support the integration of air pollution awareness into healthcare, workplaces, schools and community settings

The coalition will not set policy, regulate, or replace statutory responsibilities held by government departments or public bodies, nor will it constrain the independence of civil society partners.

Coalition outputs are intended to be shared resources, rather than statements of individual organisational policy positions. While we hope that partners will be able to endorse and use the materials produced by the coalition, partners retain the right not to be associated with any or all coalition products in line with their own organisational objectives.  

3. Structure and governance

3.1. Coalition plenary

The coalition will meet in full on a quarterly basis.

These meetings will provide an opportunity to review progress, discuss relevant policy developments, and identify shared opportunities for collaboration and alignment.

The plenary will also serve as the forum for approving shared communication resources and confirming key decisions affecting the coalition’s work.

3.2. Working groups

Thematic working groups will be established to deliver each of the coalition’s core outputs.

Each group will be led by a designated lead organisation, which will be responsible for setting the timetable, agreeing ways of working, and co-ordinating contributions.

Contributing members will form the working group and participate according to their expertise and capacity.

Participation is voluntary, and partners may engage in more than one workstream.

3.3. Decision making

The ethos of the coalition is collaborative and supportive. However, where differing views exist, lead organisations will seek resolution through discussion, reference to evidence, and alignment with the agreed scope and objectives of the output.

Any significant concerns about attribution or comfort with an output should be raised as early as possible.

When competing suggestions cannot be fully reconciled:

• significant areas of disagreement should be highlighted to the coalition plenary for visibility, transparency, and learning
• the lead organisation, supported by Defra’s co-ordinating role, will determine a way forward in the interests of timely delivery

4. Member expectations

Reflecting consultation responses, coalition members will be expected to:

• attend meetings regularly (ensuring the organisation is represented by an alternative contact where necessary)
• review and comment on draft communication materials
• share campaign plans and resources where possible
• contribute expertise to working groups and co‑delivery of outputs
• lead a deliverable where capacity exists
• help identify opportunities, audiences, stakeholders and practical routes for dissemination
• support evaluation and learning around the coalition’s outputs

The coalition recognises varying capacity across organisations.

5. Ways of working

The coalition will operate on principles of:

• equity - representing diverse communities, vulnerable groups, and high‑exposure populations
• evidence‑led practice - ensuring messages are grounded in scientific consensus
• transparency - sharing plans, timelines, and communications materials openly
• practicality - producing assets that can be easily adopted across sectors
• collaboration - aligning with for example, local authority programmes and NHS activity
• respect for capacity - acknowledging differing resources and providing hybrid engagement options

Meetings will be delivered in hybrid or virtual formats where possible, with consideration for travel constraints raised by partners.

6. Resourcing

Defra will provide overall co-ordination for the coalition, including governance, programme management, and secretariat support to ensure the work progresses effectively.

Partners will contribute by offering their time, expertise, and the channels through which communications and resources can be disseminated, ensuring the coalition’s work reaches a wide and diverse audience.

7. Review

These terms of reference will be reviewed 6 months after launch, and annually thereafter, to ensure alignment with member needs.