![People cycling on London street](/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_sm/public/2022-08/Large_Web_Image-Electric-Vehicle-Taskforce.jpg?h=17e2e25e&itok=-rEWCCeE)
Pollution and air quality
Our vision for cleaner air in London
London’s air quality is affected by a number of factors. These include the weather, local geography and emissions sources from both within and outside London.
Innovations in urban design and the introduction of stronger environmental regulations have helped to drastically reduce industrial pollution and make our city a cleaner, greener and more pleasant place to live. But while we have seen significant improvements, London today is still confronted by a host of serious environmental challenges.
Our vision is for London to have the best air quality of any major world city by 2050, going beyond the legal requirements to protect human health and minimise inequalities.
Improving London’s air quality requires the following actions:
- reducing exposure of Londoners to harmful pollution across London – especially at priority locations like schools – and tackling health inequality
- achieving legal compliance with UK and EU limits as soon as possible, including by mobilising action from the London boroughs, government and other partners
- establishing and achieving new, tighter air quality targets for a cleaner London, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) health-based guidelines by 2030 by transitioning to a zero emission London.
Below you can find out more about our work to tackle pollution to achieve legal compliance with UK and EU limits as soon as possible and in the most effective manner.
Making London's transport network cleaner and greener.
An innovative trial to test large electric delivery vehicles on central London roads.
Preparing London for an increase in electric vehicles.
The ULEZ was expanded across all London boroughs on 29 August 2023.
Alongside outdoor air pollution, the Mayor and TfL are taking action on air quality on the Tube Network.
Our programmes
The Mayor's air quality audits to reduce emissions and exposure to air pollution
The Mayor's air quality audits to reduce emissions and exposure at London nurseries.
Our funds
We have made £27 million of funding available to improve our air quality.
A summary of the Mayor's Good Growth Fund projects aimed at improving air quality
The impact of our work
![Low emission bus zone sign](/sites/default/files/styles/cta_component_sm/public/2022-08/Large_Web_Image-Low-Emission-Bus-Zone-Brixton.jpg?h=2a71c125&itok=fFnUDvHm)
Evaluation of the impact of Low Emission Bus Zones
A total of twelve Low Emission Bus Zones are now in operation across London. Since their launch, the Zones have led to significant reductions in pollution levels.
Read the reportMonitoring and reporting on air quality in London
We predict London’s air pollution levels using a model that estimates how pollution will spread over time and distance.
An interactive map showing the Mayor's air quality actions across London.
This report outlines long-term health impacts of changing exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in London.
A report summarising the Mayor's air quality programme and air quality trends in London from 2016 to 2024.
Guidance and tools
Find out how much dangerous pollution your car is emitting in the real world.
What you can do to reduce pollution from burning wood and other solid fuels in London.