Presentation of Barry O'Brien (Greater London Authority) on 'Mitigating emissions in London' during the conference 'Environmental challenges & Climate change opportunities' organised by Flanders Environment Agency (VMM)

1. Mitigating Emissions in London
Ultra Low Emission City
Barry O’Brien
Senior Policy & Project Officer
Air Quality
barry.o’brien@london.gov.uk

2. Contents
1.Context
2.EU Compliance
3.Air Pollution Solutions
4.ULEZ
5.Public Engagement
6.Conclusion
2/3
1/3

5. CentralLondon
Kuwait
NewZealand
Qatar
Czech
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£100
£120
£140
GDP, £Bn
Global
competition for
jobs and growth
London
Rest of the
UK
0
50
00
50
00
50
00
Km of NO2 exceedence in 2015
10m pop. by 2030
(extra 2m people)
London Factors

6. Air Pollution in London
The UK Air Quality Standards Regulations 2000 sets standards for a number of
pollutants than can harm human health and the environment. These are
based on EU limit values (external website) and include:
 Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
 Nitrogen oxides (NOX)
 Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
 Lead
 Benzene
 Carbon monoxide (CO)
 Benzo(a)pyrene
 Ozone (O3)

7. AQ Challenge (2010)
NO2 2010 Annual Mean

8. EU Compliance

10. The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy sets out a
framework for improving London’s air quality.
Measures elaborated in the two Supplementary
Planning Guidance documents (SPGs) arising
include:
 Developers are to design their schemes so
that they are at least ‘air quality neutral’,
meeting the minimum emission benchmarks
for buildings’ operation and transport. If the
benchmarks are not met after mitigation
measures have been implemented, the
developer will be required to off-set
emissions off-site.
 Developers should select plant that meets
the standards for emissions from combined
heat and power and biomass plants set out
in the Sustainable Design and Construction
SPG and use ultra-low NOx boilers.
 During construction, developers and
contractors should follow the guidance set
out in The Control of Dust and Emissions
during Construction and Demolition SPG:
 carry out an Air Quality and Dust Risk
Assessment, submit an Air Quality and Dust
Management Plan for the construction,
implement mitigation measures and carry
out site monitoring, and
 use non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) that
complies with the new Ultra Low Emissions
Zone (ULEZ) according to the period of
construction and the location.

11. Mayor’s AQ Manifesto
 Summer’14 Mayor
roadmap to
compliance in 2020
 Ambitious package of
AQ measures, more
to-do
 Centre piece is ULEZ
delivers 2/3 emissions


12. Congestion charge Low Emission Zone Buses
Taxis Cycling Electric cars
AQ Solutions

13. SPG (CHP + Biomass)

14. AQ Solutions – NRMM LEZ
Policies relating to new developments
AQ
‘neutral’
development
NRMM

15. NRMM LEZ
Context
 LAEI construction / NRMM contributes 15% PM10 and 12% NOx in London
Timeline 1
 1st Sep 2015
EU Standards
 NRMM 37kW 560KW variable and constant speed engines for PM/NOx:
 Major development meet Stage IIIA of EU Directive 97/68/EC
 CAZ or Canary Wharf meet Stage IIIB of the Directive
Timeline 2
 1st Sep 2020
EU Standards
 Any site in Greater London meet Stage IIIB of the EU Directive

16. Progress to EU Limits 2020

17. ULEZ Standards

18. ULEZ Standards

19. Why adaptation?
NO2 2010 Annual Mean NO2 2020 Annual Mean
Despite a 20% reduction in NOx and 15% reduction in PM
emissions still a long way off meeting legal NO2 limits

20. Public information?

22. Campaign landing page at www.london.gov.uk
environment section - london.gov.uk/breathe
2,800 unique pageviews so far
Prominent call to action buttons throughout
content to drive action
Integrated sign up form signposting to key
content and capturing subscribers for airTEXT
alerts and an air quality newsletter to inform
and educate
1,160 unique pageviews, 139 sign ups to
airTEXT alerts and 74 sign ups to
campaign database
Images and video content to help inform and
educate
Campaign Webpages

23. Conclusion
AQ Manifesto recognition more needs to be done
ULEZ solution given proximity of challenge to 2020
Compliance complementary non/transport actions

24. Thanks!
Barry O’Brien
Senior Policy & Project Officer
Air Quality
barry.o'brien@london.gov.uk