Linking climate change and air quality

Reflecting concern about the health effects of urban air pollution and pressure for carbon emission reduction, the LowCVP and the Clean Air Alliance have announced an initiative to make sure that actions to mitigate both problems are joined-up as effectively as possible.

Road transport is responsible for nearly 20% of the UK’s total emissions of carbon dioxide, and most of the critical emissions (particulates and NOx) which can have damaging health impacts in areas of high pollution concentration. The UK is legally obliged under the Climate Change Act and European regulations to reduce emissions of both types.

The launch of the collaboration came shortly after the news that London breached annual pollution limits just one week into 2016, and followed soon after the announcement that the government will be introducing Clean Air Zones in five areas across the UK.

Dan Byles, Chair of the Clean Air Alliance said: ‘The science shows that if air pollution is addressed, there will generally also be a significant decrease in climate carbon emissions.’