A woman whose nine-year-old daughter became the first person in the UK to be recognized as a factor in the death of air pollution has sued the government for an undisclosed amount.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s daughter Ella suffered a fatal asthma attack in 2013.

in 2020 Southwark Coroner’s Court found air pollution “materially contributed” to Ella’s death.

The government expressed its condolences to the family and said it was committed to implementing an “ambitious clean air strategy”.

Coroner Philip Barlow concluded that Ella, who lived 25 meters (82 ft) off the South Circular Road in Lewisham, south-east London, suffered an asthma attack after being exposed to excessive air pollution.

In an explanatory ruling, it said nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels near Ella’s home exceeded World Health Organization and European Union guidelines.

The inquest heard that Ella suffered multiple seizures and was hospitalized 27 times in the three years before her death.

Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah said: “I have been fighting for justice for Ella for over 14 years. Firstly, to find out what made her so seriously ill and secondly to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution.

“Nothing will compensate for the pain and suffering Ella has experienced or the trauma of losing her beloved daughter and sister at such a young age.

“Our family’s loss is immeasurable.”

Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, along with Ella’s siblings, met Emma Hardy, a minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), on Thursday morning.

“I told Ms Hardy today that much more needs to be done urgently to improve our air quality and that I stand ready to help her and the government in tackling what has become a public health crisis,” he said.

Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah called on the government to implement “Ella’s Law”, which she wanted to include “the right to breathe clean air as a fundamental human right”, among other measures.

In a statement made on behalf of the parties to the case, Defra, the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care, the following statements were made: “Little children like Ella should not have to suffer because of our air.

“Your words have had a significant impact, both in this case and in your public campaign.”

The statement said: “We are committed to delivering a comprehensive and ambitious Clean Air Strategy, which includes a range of interventions to reduce emissions to reduce everyone’s exposure to air pollution.”

The government is also committed to reviewing how air quality information is communicated to the public, it said.

When the Supreme Court decision was first announced in January under the previous Conservative government, departments said they would object to the claim.

Ms. Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s lawyer, Susie Labinjoh, said this had been a “long and hard-fought battle” for Ms. Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.

“This agreement is a measure of his daughter’s sheer determination to have her pain and suffering recognized by those responsible for tackling air pollution,” he said.