London Air Pollution Sustainability

Question 1

What strategies is London using to reduce air pollution from vehicles?

Answer 1

• The congestion charge (CCZ) and the low emissions zone (LEZ)
• The ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ)

Question 2

Describe the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Answer 2

• The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is a traffic pollution charge scheme with the aim of reducing the tailpipe emissions of diesel-powered commercial vehicles in London. Only vehicles that do not conform to higher emission standards are charged, the others may enter the controlled zone free of charge.
• The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It was introduced in 2008.

Question 3

Describe the London Congestion Charge (CCZ)

Answer 3

• The Congestion Charge (CCZ) is an £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday.
• The easiest way to pay the charge is by registering for Congestion Charge Auto Pay. There are a range of exemptions and discounts available to certain vehicles and individuals.

Question 4

Describe the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Answer 4

• The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an area within which all cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will need to meet exhaust emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel.
• The ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within the same area as the current Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ), and comes into force in September 2020.
• The ULEZ standards are in addition to the Congestion Charge and the Low Emission Zone requirements.

Question 5

Evidence that London has Air Pollution Issues

Answer 5

• 802 of London’s nurseries, schools and colleges are in areas where levels of nitrogen dioxide exceed the EU legal limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air
• London 136th most polluted city in world in 2018
• 2014 public England health report stated 5.3% of deaths due to air pollution in London
• London breached its annual air pollution limits just five days into 2017
• Air pollution causes 360 schools in 25 boroughs to be above the EU legal limit of NO2
  For example, St Anne’s Kensington and Chelsea Nursery School exposed to 54.8 NO2 Ng/m3

Question 6

What is the issue with London having high air pollution?

Answer 6

• Illegal levels of air pollution that risk causing lifelong health problems are being exposed to tens of thousands of children at more than 800 schools, nurseries and colleges in London
- This affects children’s lungs may cause asthma and exacerbates respiratory ill ness that have lifelong impacts
• 1 in 4 education institutions in the capital at which pupils as young as 3 are being exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that breach EU legal limits and harm health

Question 7

How successful are developed countries to tackling air pollution?

Answer 7

In many developed countries, there are strategies to limit air pollution, such as promoting ‘green modes’ of transport e.g. cycling and expanding green spaces (parks) in urban centres
So quite successful

Question 8

Why is air pollution in developed countries increasing?

Answer 8

• In developed countries, reliance on fossil fuels is decreasing and use of less-polluting energy sources (e.g. natural gas) is increasing
- As a result, air quality in many cities have improved since 1950
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