14.40 The role of clean air zones in achieving the UK’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.pdf

1. The Role Of Clean Air Zones In Achieving
The UK's Net-Zero Emissions Target By 2050
Visiting Research Associate
Air Quality Management Resource Centre (AQMRC)
UWE Bristol
Honorary Lecturer
School of Geographical Sciences
University of Bristol
Dr Louis Brown MA MSc PhD IES IEMA IOSH AMBCS

2. Overview
• The UK has set a target to reach net-zero emissions
by 2050.
• Air pollution is a major public health hazard.
• Clean air zones (CAZs) are areas where charges are
imposed on vehicles that do not meet certain
emission standards.
• Vehicle Exclusion Zones (VEZs) can help to reduce air
pollution, improve public health, and encourage the
use of cleaner vehicles.
• VEZs are an important tool for the UK in achieving its
net-zero emissions target.
(Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, October 2021; Climate Change Act, 2008)

3. CAZs – What’s the Point?
The Purpose of CAZs
• Charges are imposed on polluting vehicles.
• Reduce NO2 concentrations to meet compliance with
the Air Quality Directive (AQD).
• NO2 causes many respiratory problems.
• Reducing CO2 emissions is not the primary purpose of
CAZs.
The CAZ Framework
• Sets out the principles for CAZ implementation in
England.
• The primary objective is NO2 reduction.
• Other benefits (reducing CO2) are secondary.
(Clean air zone framework for England, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, August 2021)

4. Current UK VEZs
• Bath
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cambridge
• Derby
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Leicester
• Liverpool
• London
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Nottingham
• Oxford
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• Southampton
• York

5. Benefits of VEZs
• VEZs can help to reduce local air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
• This can improve air quality and public health, and
it can also help to mitigate climate change.
• VEZs can also encourage drivers to switch to
cleaner vehicles, such as electric cars.
• This can help to reduce the UK's reliance on fossil
fuels and promote a cleaner, more sustainable
transportation system.
(The benefits of introducing clean air zones, Open Access Government, January 2023;
Clean air zones in England: Impact assessment, Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs, July 2022; The case for clean air zones, Green Alliance, June 2022)

6. Intervention
Effectiveness for
the Reduction of
Child Exposure to
Traffic-Related Air
Pollution at
Schools in England
(Brown, Barnes &
Hayes, 2023)
• Research modelled the effectiveness of NO2
reduction measures around schools.
• CAZs were the most effective intervention for
reducing NO2 concentrations.
• CAZs restrict the most polluting vehicles from
entering certain areas, which improves air
quality in those areas.
• CAZs were effective in reducing NO2
concentrations overall at all sites.
• CAZs help reduce NO2 concentrations by
reducing the number of polluting vehicles on
the road.
Modelled Effectiveness of LEZs

7. Controversies
• Controversies surrounding CAZs & VEZs include:
• Unfair to low-income households and
businesses.
• Effective in reducing emissions is
questioned.
• Negative economic consequences.
• Some public opposition - particularly from drivers
concerned about costs.
• A recent poll (YouGov, 2021) found 63% of
people in the UK support the introduction of
CAZs
• Another poll (Ipsos MORI, 2022) found that 72%
of people in the UK believe that CAZs are
necessary to improve air quality.
(Clean air zones: The case against, The Telegraph, June 2023; Clean air zones: The case for, The
Guardian, June 2023; Clean Air Zones: A guide to the controversies, RAC Foundation, June 2022)

8. CAZs Cannot Work in Isolation
Provide financial assistance
to low-income households
and businesses to help
them transition to cleaner
vehicles.
Make it easier for people to
walk, cycle, or take public
transportation.
Invest in renewable energy
and other low-carbon
technologies to ensure
cleaner electricity for EVs.

9. Final thoughts…
CAZs are a key part of the UK's strategy to
achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
They can help to reduce local air pollution
and greenhouse gas emissions from
vehicles, which can improve air quality
and public health, and it can also help to
mitigate climate change.

10. The Role Of Clean Air Zones In Achieving
The UK's Net-Zero Emissions Target By 2050
Visiting Research Associate
Air Quality Management Resource Centre (AQMRC)
UWE Bristol
Honorary Lecturer
School of Geographical Sciences
University of Bristol
Dr Louis Brown MA MSc PhD IES IEMA IOSH AMBCS