Report reveals improvement in London air quality

A new report has revealed that air quality in London has improved faster and more dramatically that the rest of the UK.

In 2016, average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were much higher in London than the rest of the UK. However, in London the concentrations have fallen much quicker than in the rest of the country.

Annual roadside NO2 concentrations across the capital have reduced by 49 per cent between 2016 and 2023, while preliminary figures indicate London NO2 levels were the lowest on record in 2023 – even lower than during lockdown. This is compared to reductions of 35 per cent in the rest of England. Concentrations decreased by 39 per cent in Scotland, 31 per cent in Wales, and 27 per cent in Northern Ireland during the same period.

In central London, concentration have decreased by 65 per cent, along with 53 per cent in inner London, and 45 per cent in outer London since 2016.

2023 was also the first year on record where annual mean particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations did not exceed the latest interim World Health Organization (WHO) target across London’s active air quality monitoring sites.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Every Londoner should be proud of the remarkable progress we’ve made in improving our air quality since 2016. Together, we’ve cut roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution in half and achieved the lowest annual levels on record. London is leading the way, cleaning up our air at a much faster rate than the rest of the UK. Clean air matters for so many reasons - helping to increase children's life expectancy, reduce hospital admissions for asthma and serious lung conditions, and enable people to lead longer, healthier lives.

“However, there is still more work to do. Air pollution levels are still damaging Londoners’ health.  That’s why, in addition to world-leading action such as cleaning up our bus and taxi fleets, I’m investing a further £5.3 million in 17 borough-led projects to improve London’s air quality in local communities and build a cleaner, greener, and healthier city for everyone.”

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, said: “It’s incredible to see the progress we’ve made improving London’s air quality since 2016 and I’m very proud that we’ve achieved the lowest annual nitrogen dioxide levels seen on record, with London’s progress continuing to lead the rest of the country. But we cannot be complacent. That’s why we are continuing to invest millions in projects to tackle pollution in communities across the capital, to enable even more Londoners to breathe cleaner air.”