Air Quality/Transport and Low Emissions: The National Perspective

Care4Air 2009Robert VaughanNational and Local Air QualityDefra17 September 2009

Overview

• Is air quality improving?

• Meeting NO2 limits

• National and local Action

• Low emission cities the way forward?

• Transport, air quality and carbon

Is Air Quality Improving?

Particulate matter

• Urban background particulate levels averaged 19 micrograms per cubic metre (μg m-3) in 2008 compared to 22 μg m-3 in 2007.

• Overall decreasing trend since 1993.

• Roadside particulate levels averaged 26 μg m-3 in 2008 compared to 27 μg m-3 in 2007.

• A general downward trend since 1997, although decline has slowed since 2001 and has been subject to increased fluctuation.

Nitrogen Dioxide

• Meeting limit value over nearly all UK land area and population; and

• at 65.50% of UK urban road network

Euro Standards for HGVs

• Vehicle Emission

standards have

improved since 1992

• Improvements will

continue to 2015 and

beyond

Annual average concentration(µg m-3) for NO2 and PM10

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

An

nu

al a

vera

ge

con

cen

trat

ion

(µg

m-3)

Indicator NO2

NO2 projected

NO2 max

NO2 max (projected)

NO2 and grav.PM10 annual mean LV

Indicator grav.PM10

grav.PM10 projected

grav.PM10 max

grav.PM10 max (projected)

grav.PM10 daily LV (annual mean equivalent)

Monitored Modelled

Time

Climate Change

Good

Air Quality Good

Air Quality Bad

Climate Change

Bad

Climate Change: Opportunities and risks

Air Quality is improving but...

• Reductions appear to be plateauing,

• Particulates have no safe limit and further progress is needed on fine particles (PM2.5)

• Reduced emissions not consistently leading to reduced levels at roadsides

• Still exceeding NO2 annual limit value alongside major roads in

many towns and cities

• UK and other major Member States need more time to meet NO2LV

• Climate change is presenting new challenges: diesel, biomass

Meeting the NO2 limit value

• Directive 2008/50/EC adopted June 2008 allows Member States to seek more time to meet NO2 limit value deadlines

• Most major member states are expected to apply for NO2

extension

• Must submit details of measures taken and planned to meet limit value and where necessary detail further measures that will be taken to meet limit value

• UK considering national measures and will work with local authorities to review evidence and action plans

• Likely to consult on application early 2010 and apply Summer 2010

National and Local Action on Air Quality

• National• National Measures to incentivise vehicle improvement

• Defra/LA Air Quality Summit – lead by Ministers and LGA

• Consultation on action to meet NO2 limit value by 2015

• Use measures in focused way eg• significant sources of emissions eg HGVs/bus fleets in target areas,

• key urban areas – ~ 70% of exceedences in 6 urban areas

• Local• Consult local authorities to confirm the national picture and review action

plans and further measures

• Review Local Air Quality Mgmt and action planning

• Bring together synergies from transport planning, land use planning and Climate Change

• Low emissions strategies encompassing technology, planning and behaviour.

Low Emission Cities and regions

Freight mgt

Bus partnership

Low emissionVehicles

Community engagement

Transport planning

Urban planningConstruction mgmt

NI 194

Contact details

Air Quality and Transport

Iain ForbesDepartment for Transport

DfT is committed to delivering a sustainable transport system

DfT policies have had a significant impact on vehicle pollutant emissions

DfT is keen to integrate air quality with wider transport policy and planning

DfT is committed to delivering a sustainable transport system

DfT’s policies have had a significant impact on vehicle pollutant emissions

DfT is keen to integrate air quality with wider transport policy and planning

Iain ForbesEnvironment Policy and Delivery

Head of Air Quality Strategy Branch

Zone 1/33Great Minster House76 Marsham StreetLondon SW1P 4DR

Tel: +44 (0)20 7944 6301Fax: +44 (0)20 7944 2512iain.forbes@dft.gsi.gov.uk