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Tag: Nitrogen Dioxide emissions

Major London ULEZ expansion to go ahead next year

Posted on by dishanth
Major London ULEZ expansion to go ahead next year

Speaking this morning (25 November), Khan confirmed that the ULEZ will be expanded to the entire Greater London Authority boundary from 29 August 2023. The move was first floated in January, when the Authority provided additional details on its plans for reaching net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Plans were then firmed up as the year went on, and a consultation was launched.

Most people who responded to the consultation opposed the planned expansion. Common concerns included the impact on low-income people amid the current cost-of-living crisis.

“Now is not the time to hammer Londoners with a £12.50 daily cost-of-living charge. Residents have made their views very clear to the mayor: they do not want the ULEZ expansion. The mayor must listen to them, scrap these plans and use the £250m saved on real measures that tackle air pollution,” said the Greater London Authority Conservatives’ transport spokesman Nick Rogers.

Khan said the cost of living had been a “key consideration” and that it had “not been an easy decision”. But he argued that, “in the end, public health comes before political expediency”. He also stated that plans will be put in place to ease the impact on motorists from vulnerable backgrounds, including an expanded scrappage scheme fund, free travel cards for those scrapping cars, and a four-year grace period for those with disabilities.

Drivers entering the ULEZ using a vehicle that does not comply with Euro 6 emissions requirements are charged £12.50 per day. There are exemptions for certain vehicles, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles and mini busses used by community groups.

The ULEZ was first introduced in 2019 and has since been expanded to an area size 18 times greater than the original boundary. It currently covers the area within London’s north-circular and south-circular orbital roads.

Pre-pandemic and pre-expansion, the ULEZ resulted in a 44% reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions. Figures from 2021 shows that the ULEZ resulted in a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions from road transport and a 40% reduction in particulate matter.

“The ULEZ so far has been transformational, reducing harmful pollution levels by almost a half in central London,” Khan stated today. “But there is still far too much toxic air pollution permanently damaging the health of young Londoners and leading to thousands of early deaths every year, with the greatest number of deaths in the outer London boroughs.”

For 7.1% of deaths in Greater London, according to London City Hall, exposure to air pollution is a contributing factor.

The British Safety Council has come out in support of the expansion. The organisation’s chairman Peter McGettrick said:

“The expansion of ULEZ is a welcome development, which will improve the air quality for many millions of people living and working across London, and the inclusion of the scrappage scheme will support businesses and residents alike either to update their vehicles or use public transport.

“4,000 people die every year in London due to air pollution, and many people’s jobs mean they have to work outside and breathe dangerous fumes. We need employers, businesses and others in London to get behind this change and help bring down the shocking death toll that still exists.”

 

 

 

 

Source edie

These satellite photos show how COVID-19 lockdowns have impacted global emissions

Posted on by dishanth
These satellite photos show how COVID-19 lockdowns have impacted global emissions
  • Quarantining and lockdowns have forced many countries’ industries to shut down, with many factories closing their doors.
  • Nitrogen dioxide emissions are a major air pollutant, and are closely linked to factory output and vehicles on the roads.
  • NO₂ emissions can be a good indicator of global economic activity—and the changes are visible from space.

 

A dramatic decline.
Image: Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air

 

The Emissions Impact of Coronavirus Lockdowns

There’s a high chance you’re reading this while practicing social distancing, or while your corner of the world is under some type of advised or enforced lockdown.

While these are necessary measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, such economic interruption is unprecedented in many ways—resulting in some surprising side effects.

 

The Evidence is in NO₂ Emissions

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions, a major air pollutant, are closely linked to factory output and vehicles operating on the road.

As both industry and transport come to a halt during this pandemic, NO₂ emissions can be a good indicator of global economic activity—and the changes are visible from space.

These images from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), as well as satellite footage from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), show a drastic decline in NO₂ emissions over recent months, particularly across Italy and China.

 

NO₂ Emissions Across Italy

In Italy, the number of active COVID-19 cases has surpassed China (including the death toll). Amid emergency actions to lock down the entire nation, everything from schools and shops, to restaurants and even some churches, are closed.

Italy is also an industrial hub, with the sector accounting for nearly 24% of GDP. With many Italians urged to work from home if possible, visible economic activity has dropped considerably.

This 10-day moving average animation (from January 1st—March 11th, 2020) of nitrogen dioxide emissions across Europe clearly demonstrates how the drop in Italy’s economic activity has impacted the environment.

Source: European Space Agency (ESA)

 

That’s not all: a drop in boat traffic also means that Venice’s canals are clear for the time being, as small fish have begun inhabiting the waterways again. Experts are cautious to note that this does not necessarily mean the water quality is better.

 

NO₂ Emissions Across China

The emissions changes above China are possibly even more obvious to the eye. China is the world’s most important manufacturing hub and a significant contributor to greenhouse gases globally. But in the month following Lunar New Year (a week-long festival in early February), satellite imagery painted a different picture.

 

With China slowly returning to work, this reduced consumption could rebound.
Image: CREA/WIND/Graphic: Jason Kwok, CNN

 

Back to the Status Quo?

In recent weeks, China has been able to flatten the curve of its total COVID-19 cases. As a result, the government is beginning to ease its restrictions—and it’s clear that social and economic activities are starting to pick back up in March.

 

 

With the regular chain of events beginning to resume, it remains to be seen whether NO₂ emissions will rebound right back to their pre-pandemic levels.

 

This bounce-back effect—which can sometimes reverse any overall drop in emissions—is [called] “revenge pollution”. And in China, it has precedent.

— Li Shuo, Senior climate policy advisor, Greenpeace East Asia

 

 

Written by

Iman Ghosh, , Visual Capitalist

This article is published in collaboration with Visual Capitalist.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.