Glasgow LEZ reduces NO2 levels by 20%
Progress report shows levels of toxic nitrous dioxide fell by 20% in city centre and 15.3% in other locations.
Good news in Glasgow, where the low emissions zone (LEZ) introduced for all vehicle types on June 1, 2023, is having a dramatic impact on improving air quality. The latest figures, published now but covering the whole of 2023, show a sizeable reduction in levels of NO2.
Photo by Ross Sneddon
Air quality is measured with diffusion tube monitoring in locations across the city and beyond, as well as 11 automatic monitoring stations. This enables the local authority to check concentrations of chemicals hazardous to health against legal requirements – known in the sector as ‘objectives’.
Glasgow was already below the legal limit in figures for 2022, before the introduction of the LEZ. But the new figures show that the LEZ has significantly lowered those levels. Airborne particulate matter and NO2 are the main pollutants of concern in the city, with known impacts on health.
The report shows that the city is compliant with objectives on PM10 and PM2.5 – the ultra-fine particulates known to be especially bad for health.
However, the new data shows that some areas of Glasgow – Gordon Street and under the Hielanman’s Umbrella – saw levels slightly exceed the objectives, while the station on Hope Street only narrowly came within the limit. Of course, the figures only the first six months of the LEZ being in place, which at the time did not apply to residents of the zone or to non-compliant taxis. A longer period of time and higher rate of participation may yet see further improvements to air quality. We will keep close watch on developments.
Cllr Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate at Glasgow City Council, says: ‘Air pollution contributes to hundreds of deaths in Glasgow each year, as well as exacerbating long-term health inequalities and the health conditions of thousands of Glaswegians. Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone was introduced to address stubbornly high levels of air pollution in the city centre – and with Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh now implementing their own LEZs, Scotland’s cities have joined hundreds across Europe in taking this kind of action to improve air quality.
‘The early progress recorded in Glasgow in 2023 – with a 20% drop in the city centre’s nitrogen dioxide levels – is really encouraging. With some locations still showing breaches of legal limits, however, the impact of the LEZ’s full rollout will only become clear with next year’s annual monitoring data, and Glasgow will continue our work to seek cleaner, more breathable air that meets legal requirements.’
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