Air pollution and climate change

photo: beechlights

Air quality and climate change are inextricably linked. Ozone, which is caused by traffic pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen reacting in sunlight, is both highly dangerous to human health and a powerful greenhouse gas. Black carbon, a component of PM10 emitted by diesel vehicles, is thought to be especially harmful to human health, and is also known to have a major impact on global warming and arctic melting.

Road transport is also one of the largest and fastest growing sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. Tackling air pollution will require the decarbonisation of London’s transport fleet, which will have enormous benefits for both human health and the climate.