Air quality

London’s air quality has improved over recent decades, especially since the Clean Air Act was introduced in 1956, but it is still the worst in the UK and amongst the worst in Europe. Air pollution has serious impacts on both the environment and human health and is thought to cause the premature deaths of over 4,000 people in London each year.

What causes air pollution?

Two pollutants are of greatest concern to London, Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Dioxide.

• Particle Matter: most particle matter emissions in London come from car engines and wear from tyres and brakes. Construction sites with high levels of dust and emissions from machinery also contribute. Some particle matter occurs naturally, from sources such as forest fires, the Saharan desert and sea salt.
• Nitrogen Dioxide: road transport and heating systems are the biggest sources of nitrous oxides in London. Of these Nitrogen dioxide has the greatest impact on human health.

Who is responsible for tackling air pollution?

Most of the legislation governing air quality is based on guidelines provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and derived from the latest research into the effects of air pollution on human health.

These guidelines have lead to the limit values set out in European legislation, which outline a concentration value for each pollutant and a date by which the limit values should be achieved. In some cases these also allow a certain number of times in a year that a pollutant’s level can exceed the limit value.

European legislation has been translated into English law by the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010. These outline the government’s objectives for key pollutants and how different sectors, such as transport and industry, can help meet them.

In London, the Mayor also has a responsibility to prepare an Air Quality Strategy, which outlines what policies the Greater London Authority (GLA) will implement to ensure that the city meets national objectives. We responded to the consultation leading up the publication of the most recent strategy in 2010. You can read our feedback here.

London’s boroughs are also required to review and assess the air quality in their areas. Where the level of a particular pollutant is too high in any area a local authority must produce and implement an action plan aimed at reducing the level of the pollutant.

Our focus

We provide a single voice for London on air quality issues and co-ordinate regular meetings of a pan-london group of local authority air quality practitioners.

Clean Air Fund

The GLA has recently been awarded £5 million to help improve air quality in London in 2011/12. Read more here.

Electric vehicles

Our work on electric vehicles may also be of interest. Read more here.