The Environmental Research Group at King's and Policy Exchange have collaborated on a major new report exploring policy options for improving air quality in London.

New calculations of the health impacts associated with air pollution in the capital were undertaken as well as an investigation into the link between air pollution and wider deprivation in London.

The report highlighted some startling numbers including:

• 328,000 school children and 3.8 million workers in London are exposed to unhealthy levels of NO2 that is linked to asthma and respiratory infections.
• 979 out of a total of 3,161 schools in London are in locations where concentrations of NO2 are above the legal limit. The data includes primary and secondary schools, in both the state and independent sectors.
• The total economic burden associated with London's poor air quality is valued at up to £3.7bn (2010 data).

New analysis reveals that if improvements in NO2 levels are delivered in full by 2025, then this could lead to an improvement in life expectancy of around six months for Londoners. However, the report highlights three significant risks to achieving this; real-world emissions from Euro 6 vehicles, the growth of 'decentralised energy' across London and emissions from construction plant.

Part 2 of the report will explore policy scenarios for improving air quality such as tightening restrictions on vehicles entering central London, further investment in the bus and taxi fleet and measures to reduce emissions from gas boilers and construction vehicles.
Policy Exchange also produced these striking infographics, highlighting the moral, legal and health cases for improving London's air quality.

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Item date 11/01/2016