Air Quality in London 2016 - 2020

This report assesses the improvements in London’s air quality between 2016 and 2020 using data from London’s air quality monitoring network and modelling from King’s College London. Key findings include:

• The number of state primary and secondary schools in areas exceeding legal limits for NO₂ fell from 455 in 2016 to 14 in 2019, a reduction of 97 per cent.
• For the first time, parts of London meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit for PM_2.5.
• Since February 2017 there has been a 44 per cent reduction in roadside NO₂ in the central London ULEZ, with 44,100 fewer polluting cars being driven in the zone daily.
• CO₂ emissions in the central zone are estimated to have reduced by 12,300 tonnes, a reduction of 6 per cent because of the ULEZ.