Press release: 21 October 2019

Dirty air threatens people’s health, clean air zones are the most effective way to clean it up

New research by King’s College shows a spike in the number of children and adults being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment on days of high pollution in cities across England. Additionally, new data from the Greater London Authority evaluates the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on air pollution concentrations and emissions. Below is a statement from Andrea Lee, clean air campaigns and policy manager at ClientEarth.

“King’s new research is a stark reminder of the impacts that air pollution has on people’s health across the country. Our air is filthy and clean air zones are the most effective way to clean it up in the shortest possible time. This is backed up by newest data from London that show that the Ultra Low Emission Zone reduced nitrogen dioxide pollution by 29% during a three-month period, compared to a scenario where no ULEZ was in place.

“These results are very encouraging and prove that we don’t have to accept dirty air solely because we live in towns and cities. National and local government have to work together to urgently create a national network of clean air zones, like the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, with help and support for people and businesses to move on to cleaner forms of transport.”

ENDS

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a charity that uses the power of the law to protect people and the planet. We are international lawyers finding practical solutions for the world’s biggest environmental challenges. We are fighting climate change, protecting oceans and wildlife, making forest governance stronger, greening energy, making business more responsible and pushing for government transparency. We believe the law is a tool for positive change. From our offices in London, Brussels, Warsaw, Berlin and Beijing, we work on laws throughout their lifetime, from the earliest stages to implementation. And when those laws are broken, we go to court to enforce them.