The most cost-effective ways to tackle air pollution

Toxic air has a major impact on the environment and health, but also on public sector budgets. The European Public Health Alliance found that the annual cost of air pollution to London in 2020 added up to £10.3 billion - that’s £1,175 per person, per year.

While tackling air pollution is often framed as a cost, it can be surprisingly affordable - delivering major co-benefits alongside long-term savings for the public sector. This briefing note summarises the most cost-effective interventions, according to 2024 research from the Environmental Policy Implementation Community, part of the Institution of Environmental Sciences. As air pollution and climate change often come from the same sources, it can also contribute to climate goals too.

Here’s what those savings could look like over time. In a hypothetical example provided by Defra, a single measure to improve vehicle efficiency reduces NOx emissions by 12 tonnes a year for three years, and three tonnes a year for seven years after that. That would deliver total savings of more than £620,000 over 10 years.

Hypothetical example where each tonne of avoided NOx emissions from road transport saves £11,682. The figures are in 2020 prices, assume a start date of 2023 and include future discounting.

Car Clubs and Lift Sharing. Impact on air quality hotspots, air quality emissions and climate emissions are very positive. Co-benefits are safety, community, social value and congestion. Cost is low.

Car clubs and lift-sharing schemes are a convenient and low-cost alternative to car ownership. Not only do these programmes reduce air pollution (an average UK car club car produces 89% less NOx and 72% less PM2.5 per km than an average UK car), they also reduce traffic and congestion. To encourage takeup at low cost, local authorities can procure a car club operator, make bays available exclusively for car clubs, and require developers through the planning process to commit to a car club on site.

Tackling Diesel and Dust From Building Works. Impact on air quality hotspots is very positive, air quality emissions and climate emissions are minor positive. Co-benefits are health and congestion. Cost is low.

Heavy equipment usually runs on diesel and produces significant air pollution around construction sites. Construction traffic also contributes, as does the dust created during work operations. Local authorities can address these issues at minimal cost with planning conditions that require specific emissions standards and minimise the use of generators, require construction dust risk assessments, and with careful monitoring and enforcement.

Low-Emission Council Vehicles. Impact on air quality hotspots, air quality emissions and climate emissions are very positive. Co-benefits are community and local economy. Cost is low.

Local authorities can lead by example by procuring goods and services in a way that achieves value for money and promotes positive environmental and societal outcomes. A sustainable procurement policy should value air quality and climate impacts - particularly when it comes to vehicles and heavy equipment used in e.g. waste collection, street cleaning, and other maintenance activities. Demonstrating the viability and cost-effectiveness of new low-emissions technologies can also act as a signal to local businesses.

Anti-Idling. Impact on air quality hotspots is very positive, air quality emissions and climate emissions are minor positive. Co-benefits are health. Cost is low.

When drivers leave their engines on while stationary, harmful emissions increase in the local area. This often happens when waiting for traffic lights, or for passengers outside school gates, or by hospitals. Local authorities can tackle this at minimal cost by fining idling drivers under the Road Traffic Regulations 2002, and by running campaigns and installing signage that asks people to turn vehicle engines off when not moving.

Decrease Wood Burning. Impact on air quality hotspots is very positive, air quality emissions and climate emissions are minor positive. Co-benefits are health and nature. Cost is low.

Solid fuel was the largest source of PM2.5 emissions in the UK in 2021, driven by wood burning stoves and open fires. The public has low awareness of the air quality impacts of this burning. Local authorities can tackle this issue cheaply by declaring and enforcing smoke control areas under the Clean Air Act 1993 and Environment Act 2021, using the planning process to prevent chimneys being installed in new developments, and raising awareness of the problems with wood burning using public information campaigns.

Sarah Legge, chair of the EPIC Task Group and lead author of the cited research said:

"The EPIC guidance on Integrating Action on Air Quality and Climate Change gives local authorities clear, practical advice on taking effective action on air pollution and climate change. We are delighted that Possible has put together a briefing based on our guidance, which showcases cost-effective measures local authorities and others can take. If you want to find out more, EPIC's guidance includes 23 integrated actions on transport, the built environment, waste and procurement, with information on approaches, support, and case studies."