Improving air quality

London's air quality is much better than it was decades ago, but it still remains a problem.

Much has already been done to improve air quality, for example investing to boost cycling, encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles and converting London's bus fleet to hybrid. The Mayor's Air Quality Strategy will build on these measures and accelerate improvements.

Focusing on transport

The Mayor is proposing:

• Cleaning up London's bus fleet so that all buses meet Euro IV emissions standards for both NO_x and PM₁₀ by 2015.
• Cleaning up London's taxis through a proposed age limit for taxis and minicabs, starting from 2012.
• Updating the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) so that vans and minibuses would have to meet the Euro III standard for PM in order to drive in the zone without charge.
• Introducing a new NOx standard for the LEZ in 2015 that will bring all lorries, buses and coaches to Euro IV standards across London.
• Working with boroughs to implement targeted action plans at air quality air quality hotspots
• Putting in place air quality action days and special measures for high pollution episodes to reduce concentrations and risk of exposure.
• Regular events to encourage people to walk and cycle more.

Focusing on other areas

To reduce localised pollution sources, the Mayor is proposing:

• Creating new provisions in the London Plan to encourage boroughs to ensure new developments are air quality neutral. An independent report by Southbank University recently found that the London Plan has already been successful in delivering significant carbon emission reductions in new developments.  Read the Impact of London Plan on Energy Policies report.
• Reducing dust emissions from construction sites by implementing best practice guidance.
• Significantly scaling up London’s schemes to retrofit homes and public buildings to improve energy efficiency and thereby reduce emissions of NO_x and CO₂.
• Ensuring only the cleanest technology is used for biomass boilers.
• Raising public awareness to encourage Londoners to reduce their emissions.
• Improving information for the most vulnerable Londoners to help them reduce the risk to their health from poor air quality.

Read the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy