- New data from City Hall shows communities which have higher levels of deprivation, or a higher proportion of people from a non-white ethnic background, are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution
- However, thanks to the Mayor’s policies the gap between the most and least deprived areas for exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has narrowed by up to 50 per cent
- Mayor announces a new community programme in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies to award 60 free air quality sensors to local London communities, providing access to real time air quality data
- Breathe London sensor network to grow to almost 350 sensors and expand to London’s museums and cultural institutions
The gap between the most and least deprived areas of London for exposure to harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has narrowed by up to 50 per cent since 2016, according to new data revealed today.
However, the report also shows that communities which have higher levels of deprivation, or a higher proportion of people from a non-white ethnic background, are still more likely to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution. The analysis, commissioned by City Hall, shows that significant inequalities remain, and more work is needed to further reduce pollution levels and the health inequalities that result from unequal exposure to air pollution.
Ahead of the UK hosting COP26 and the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion later this month, Sadiq is determined for London to be a world leader in tackling the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency and today launched a new Breathe London community programme in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies. The new initiative is set to empower local action on air quality. Community organisations are invited to apply for a free air quality sensor to be installed in a location of their choice, providing real time, hyperlocal data. The programme aims to reach communities that research shows have poor air quality and lack access to green space, including low-income and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Londoners. The sensors are being provided to some community groups and boroughs free of charge, but for the first time, Breathe London air quality monitoring sensors are also now available to purchase directly by organisations and individuals wishing to monitor air quality in their local area, measure the impact of existing schemes to improve air quality, or help communities lobby for action in areas with high levels of toxic pollution.
The Breathe London Network, managed by the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London and funded by the Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies, is an important part of Sadiq’s work to raise awareness of air pollution, making it easier for all Londoners to access reliable, localised, real-time air quality data. The additional sensors will bring the capital’s total to almost 350 sensors. The Mayor will also provide two sensors for the South Circular which will be installed in collaboration with Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, co-founder of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is also supporting the expansion of the Breathe London network to some of London’s leading civic buildings and cultural institutions, including the British Library, Kew Gardens, the National Gallery, the Science Museum and The Serpentine. As important community hubs for Londoners and visitors, the partnering institutions will share and make use of the data to engage visitors and other key stakeholders, and to inform their own initiatives to become more sustainable.
Poor air quality stunts the growth of children’s lungs and worsens chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart disease. A study by Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group, commissioned by City Hall via Imperial Projects, has found that the Mayor’s air quality policies and wider improvements in air pollution will increase the average life expectancy of a child born in London in 2013 by six months.
An estimated 3.8 million Londoners live in the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) zone and are set to directly benefit from the scheme when it comes into operation on 25 October. The expanded zone covers an area 18 times larger than the existing ULEZ and will affect older, more polluting vehicles that don’t comply with strict emission standards. Although around 80 per cent of cars are already thought to be compliant in the expanded zone, it is estimated that 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries could be affected by the expanded zone and tighter standards every day. ULEZ expansion warning signs are being put up around the North and South circular roads to help inform motorists of the forthcoming changes following extensive awareness campaigns.
TfL has been running a comprehensive awareness campaign using a combination of channels such as roadside posters and advertisements, the face to face distribution of leaflets, radio and social media advertisements, and a television advert that went live this month.
While significant progress has been made to tackle air pollution, with a substantial reduction in the number of Londoners living in areas exceeding legal limits for NO2, tens of thousands of Londoners still breathe illegally polluted air and all school children in London go to schools which are in areas exceeding the newly-announced World Health Organization (WHO) recommended guidelines for PM2.5, which are much tighter than the legal standards.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We know toxic air pollution in London stunts the growth of children’s lungs and worsens chronic illnesses, such as asthma. Now our new research confirms that that those exposed to the worst air pollution are more likely to be Londoners living in deprived areas and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
“The bold action we have taken since I become Mayor has reduced this gap by up to 50 per cent, but there’s still a long way to go. That’s why I’m more determined than ever to do everything we can in London to consign air pollution to the history books. A key step will be the expansion of the world-first Ultra Low Emission Zone up to the North and South circular roads, starting on 25 October, which will improve the health of all Londoners and help us deliver a cleaner, greener and fairer city.
“The new air quality sensors we are announcing today with Bloomberg Philanthropies is an important part of our work to raise awareness of toxic air pollution across London, making it easier for Londoners to monitor air quality in their local area.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, said: “Air pollution is a deadly problem in cities all over the world, and technology is giving us new ways to measure it and understand its effects. By putting that technology in the hands of communities, this partnership will empower people to push for smart policies and give elected leaders the data they need to save lives in London. It will also encourage other cities to act – and it’s a great example of how collaboration can accelerate progress on the big challenges we face. Sadiq Khan has shown strong leadership on this critical issue and we’re looking forward to working together on this new effort.”
Dr Ben Barratt Reader, Environmental Exposures & Public Health lead at Imperial College London said: “This next phase of development of the Breathe London network really puts air quality monitoring into the hands of London’s communities. We’re genuinely excited to see the inspiring and impactful uses to which these monitors will be put by Londoners to improve the health and environment of their neighbourhoods and our city“.
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, co-founder of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation, said: “On 16 December 2020, after 7 years of fighting for justice, finally the coroner reached a verdict that illegal levels of air pollution not only started Ella's asthma but also contributed to her death. In his recommendations he ruled that monitoring and raising awareness was vital to improving the public’s knowledge about the harm of air pollution. The Breathe London monitors are essential as a way of informing the public about what they are breathing to help change behaviour. I would like to thank the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for making air quality his number one priority as he promised, to improve the lives of children and young people in the capital.”
Notes to editors
The full report can be read here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/air-pollution-and-inequalities-london-2019
(link to go live at 9am)
The report also showed:
- On average, areas where the most deprived Londoners are more likely to live had levels of nitrogen dioxide 13 per cent higher than the least deprived Londoners. However, the difference in nitrogen dioxide levels between the most and least deprived Londoners has reduced by half from 7.6 µg/m3 in 2013 to 3.8 µg/m3 in 2019 - thanks to the bold policies taken by the Mayor.
- Areas where white Londoners were most likely to live had also shown some improvement but still had the lowest average concentrations. For nitrogen dioxide this varied across the non-white ethnic groups, with concentrations on average 16 – 27 per cent higher in areas where BAME Londoners were most likely to live compared to white Londoners. Similarly, in 2013, annual average nitrogen dioxide was between 4.8 - 10.6 µg/m3 higher in areas where BAME Londoners were more likely to live. In 2019 this gap had reduced to 4 - 6.9 µg/m3, a reduction in the gap between white and non-white ethnic groups of between 15 – 37 per cent.
London Atmospheric Emission Inventory (LAEI) – which analyses air quality – show that between 2013 and 2016, under the previous Mayor, there were no significant improvements in harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in London’s air – with some areas actually getting worse. However, since 2016, Londonwide NO2 reduced by 20 per cent, thanks in part to Sadiq's bold policies to tackle air pollution in the capital.
About Breathe London
The online platform and community programme launching today, is https://www.breathelondon.org/.
The Breathe London community sensing network launched in January 2021, following a successful two year pilot. The Breathe London community sensing network is funded by the Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and delivered by researchers from the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London, through Imperial Projects. This network of over 195 hyperlocal air quality monitors, brings real time air quality data to Londoners via the Breathe London website. The Breathe London network will run until November 2024.
The Mayor of London is investing over £750,000 in the Breathe London network, funding an initial 135 small sensors. Bloomberg Philanthropies is also investing $1m (£720,000) into the network.
Organisations and individuals are able apply to host a sensor in a location of their choice, with all associated costs covered. The first 10 sensors will be allocated early next year and groups are encouraged to apply by completing the short form with the option to upload a video.
The selection of the community groups and sensor allocation will be made by an expert stakeholder panel. This includes The Clean Air Fund, The Jack Petchey Foundation, and Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation. Successful applicants will need to highlight the value of having hyperlocal air quality data in their community, with possible ideas on action.
Breathe London aims to create a comprehensive and scalable air quality sensor network for London’s communities; making air quality data easily accessible and empowering Londoners with evidence – evidence to inform the change they want to see. Organisations wishing to purchase a sensor can now do so via the Breathe London website. Sensors are an annual cost of £1600 plus VAT.
Up until now sensor locations have been chosen by organisations and authorities, which is why the launch of the Breathe London online platform and the community programme will give communities access to real-time local air quality to choose where they want to measure air pollution. This will help inform communities about air pollution in their area, and can be used to measure the impact of schemes to improve air quality, or help communities lobby for action in areas where air pollution is bad.
By joining Breathe London, community organisations and citizens will receive a sensor as well as a full service package which includes pre-calibration against reference monitors, dynamic data quality assurance procedures led by Imperial, ensuring reliable data outputs, and hardware replacement if required.
The Breathe London community programme will open for applications today and be open for the next 8 weeks, until 3 December 2021.Subsequent sensors will be made available over the next two years; a further 30 sensors released in 2022 and a further 20 sensors released in 2023. Research shows that those exposed to the worst air pollution are more likely to be deprived Londoners and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. There is also emerging evidence linking air pollution with an increased vulnerability to the most severe impacts of COVID.
These efforts build on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ initiatives around the world to improve air quality -- including partnerships with the cities of Brussels, Paris, and Jakarta as well as with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This is the latest example of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ work to leverage data and empower local leaders to meet the intersectional challenges of fighting climate change and protecting public health.
- Imperial College London is one of the world's leading universities. The College's 17,000 students and 8,000 staff are expanding the frontiers of knowledge in science, medicine, engineering and business, and translating their discoveries into benefits for our society. Imperial is the UK's most international university, according to Times Higher Education, with academic ties to more than 150 countries. Reuters named the College as the UK's most innovative university because of its exceptional entrepreneurial culture and ties to industry.
- The Environmental Research Group, part of Imperial’s School of Public Health, is a leading provider of air quality information and research in the UK, combining air pollution science, toxicology and epidemiology to determine the impacts of air pollution on health and the causal factors.
- The Breathe London network will be combined with the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) reference monitoring network to form a single comprehensive source of real-time, and historic air quality information for Londoners.
- The London Recovery Board is convened by the Mayor with London Councils, and has produced a detailed framework and plan for recovery based on extensive consultation with stakeholders and the public: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/recovery_programme_overview.pdf
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 810 cities and 170 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.6 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Bloomberg are supporting the Mayor’s ‘Let’s Do London’ tourism campaign to support the capital’s creative, retail and hospitality sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. ‘Bring London Together’ is a major art commission by Yinka Ilori produced in partnership with the Mayor of London, City of London, London Borough of Camden and London Design Festival. The project is one of several installations in cities around the world supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative to encourage more sustainable transportation and revitalise public spaces through the power of art.