Cleaning up London’s toxic air

Did you know that the earliest known policy document on air pollution was published in London in 1661? This pamphlet explains the problem and proposes a solution to improve the air quality in the capital. 

London used to be famous for its smogs, caused by very high levels of pollution. In 1952 over 4,000 people died in the immediate aftermath of the “great smog”. This led to the passing of the first Clean Air Act in 1956, which rapidly improved air quality by reducing the amount of coal burnt in the city. 

Today, tackling London’s toxic air is a mayoral priority. City Hall has several integrated policies to do this: 

• London’s Environment Strategy 
• Mayor’s Transport Strategy 
• The London Plan 

Why are we doing this? 

Air pollution remains a major public health challenge: 

• Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year because of toxic air pollution. Nationally around 40,000 premature deaths are caused each year 
• London’s toxic air is stunting the growth of children’s lungs in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives 
• Toxic air pollution is a cause of cancer and it increases the risk of asthma, stroke and dementia 
• Emerging evidence of the link between air pollution and the most severe effects of COVID-19 
   

It’s also a social justice issue with low income Londoners and those from a Black Asian Minority Ethnic background the most likely to live in areas with the worst air pollution.  

The main source of London’s harmful air pollution is caused by road transport. 

• In 2016, 89-100% of major roads in inner and central London (and 36% in outer London) exceeding NO2 limit values 
• People living in the capital’s most deprived areas are, on average, exposed to about a quarter more NO2 pollution but less likely to own a car 

On 8 April 2019 London introduced the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The most polluting cars, vans, motorcycles, lorries, buses and coaches driving in the Congestion Charge Zone in Central London have to pay a charge of £12.50 per day for cars, motorcycles and vans, or £100 per day for lorries, buses and coaches. 

Our Talk London members were amongst the first to have their say in London’s Clean air consultation in 2016, which helped shape ULEZ. There was widespread support for tougher action on air pollution including an earlier and an expanded ULEZ. Transport for London (TfL) then further developed these proposals and hosted several more rounds of consultations. 

The introduction of the ULEZ in central London, along with other policies, has significantly improved London’s air quality before the COVID-19 pandemic: 

• The number of Londoners living in areas exceeding the legal limit for NO2 fell from over 2 million in 2016 to 119,000 in 2019, a reduction of 94%. 
• The number of state primary and secondary schools in areas exceeding the legal limit for NO2 fell from 455 in 2016 to 14 in 2019, a reduction of 97% 
• Between 2016 and 2019 the reduction in annual average nitrogen dioxide at roadside sites in central London was five times the national average reduction. This shows the most significant improvements in London have been driven by local, as opposed to national, policy. 
• In 2016 the whole of London exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limit for PM2.5. In 2019, for the first time, areas in outer London were within the limit. 

But there is much more to be done. From 25 October 2021, the ULEZ will be expanded up to, but not including, the North and South circular roads. The operating hours (24/7, excluding Christmas day), vehicles standards and charging levels are the same as the central ULEZ. 

The extension covers and area 18 times the size of the central London ULEZ and will benefit an additional 3.8 million households. 

The Mayor’s Environment team is working to tackle the most urgent environmental challenges facing our city, as well as safeguard London’s environment over the longer term. We need to ensure that London is greener, cleaner and ready for the future. 
 
The Environment policy team is made up of specialist sub teams, covering: 

• Air quality 
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation 
• Energy 
• Green infrastructure 
• Waste and sustainable development  

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the team efforts are focused on the Green New Deal mission for London’s recovery. This aims to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies and improve air quality by doubling the size of London's green economy by 2030 to accelerate job creation for all. 

The Mayor's Transport Team works with the Deputy Mayor for Transport and the Walking and Cycling Commissioner on behalf of the Mayor of London to develop the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and ensure Transport for London’s capacity and funding is directed towards its delivery. This includes: 

• ensuring our public transport network runs safely and reliably, 
• enabling more Londoners to walk and cycle by improving streets and reducing road danger, 
• greening transport by reducing traffic and vehicle pollution and increasing use of renewable energy on the network, 
• unlocking growth and improving connectivity, putting walking, cycling and public transport at the heart of new developments, and 
• making transport affordable and accessible for more people.