Analysis by Breathe Cities found that interventions such as cycle lanes, the growing use of electric vehicles and restrictions on the most polluting cars — including the Ultra Low Emission Zone — have helped drive major improvements in the capital.
The report examined air quality across cities in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and found that significant reductions in air pollution can be achieved when deliberate action is taken.
Beijing and Warsaw recorded the largest drop in PM2.5, with levels falling by more than 45%. Meanwhile, Amsterdam and Rotterdam saw the biggest improvements in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), with cuts of more than 40%.
London is among 19 global cities that have achieved ‘remarkable reductions’ in air pollution
PA
“Air pollution is often presented as a problem that is too difficult to solve and one that is politically unpopular,” Gary Fuller, an air pollution scientist at Imperial College London, told the newspaper. He was not involved in the report.
He added: “This report shows that bold policies can improve the air that we breathe.”
London’s restrictions on the most polluting vehicles were highlighted in the report as an important measure being taken to improve the quality of air in the capital.
Last year, a report from Transport for London found that the expansion of the ULEZ scheme had been slightly more successful than first thought at cleaning up toxic air emissions from vehicles.
TfL sources said this had resulted in a “substantial improvement” in the capital’s air quality, with the benefits “rippling beyond London” across the Home Counties.
