New City of London air quality strategy adopted after NO2 slashed by 40%

A new strategy designed to improve air quality across the Square Mile for the next five years has been adopted by the City of London Corporation.

The news comes after data reveals there was a 40 percent drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) between 2019 and 2024, with national standards for fine particles being met across the whole of the Square Mile.

The latest plans follow an extensive consultation with local residents, businesses, and stakeholders over the summer to help shape it for the period 2025 to 2030.

The strategy goes far beyond the City Corporation’s statutory obligation, working towards the latest air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and takes into account new national standards for very fine particles (PM2.5).

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, Mary Durcan, said:

“The City Corporation has been at the forefront of improving and measuring air quality for over 60 years.

“In 1954, we published our own legislation to ban the production of smoke in the Square Mile, paving the way for the National Clean Air Act (1956). Fast forward to today, and once again we’re leading the way; going above and beyond our statutory duties.

“Our ambition is to exceed the national target and meet the WHO’s second interim target for NO2 in 90% of our publicly accessible space by 2030. Continuing as we are, we expect to meet the national standard for NO2 everywhere within the Square Mile in the next two to three years.

“We have a responsibility to measure air quality and reduce the impact of air pollution on people who come to the City to live, work and explore. I have every confidence that our strategy for the next five years will achieve just that.”

The City Corporation has taken a number of bold and practical steps to improve air quality, thanks to monitoring equipment at over 80 locations across the Square Mile.

It has introduced emissions-based charges for on-street and off-street parking, targeting high-polluting transport with higher charges while rewarding drivers of low-emission vehicles with lower tariffs.

It uses an all-electric refuse fleet and its procurement rules have brought in tight restrictions on harmful emissions from bulldozers and generators.

The City Corporation helps businesses cut their air pollution through its CityAir programme, and in partnership with Camden Council, it delivered a three-year pan-London anti-idling advertising campaign, encouraging drivers to switch off their engines while parked.

The organisation has created Air Quality Action Plans for every school and nursery in the Square Mile, and its Clean Air Thames project, delivered alongside the Cross River Partnership and the Mayor of London, has reduced toxic emissions from boats and ships.

The City Corporation has also been hailed as an ‘A-List climate action leader’ by global environment charity, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), receiving a top score on its climate action measures.

In addition, it maintains a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open space across London and southeast England, which includes over 180 smaller green sites within the Square Mile. Together, these sites capture over 16,000 tonnes of carbon every year; equivalent to 70% of the City Corporation’s annual carbon footprint within its own operations.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Information about air quality within the Square Mile – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environmental-health/air-quality.

To read the full strategy, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Services-Environment/city-of-london-air-quality-strategy-2025-2030.pdf.