The latest version of the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) has been published, containing new emission data for 2022 and updated predictions for 2025 and 2030.
The Inventory tracks pollutant emissions and their sources and is the primary tool used to assess and address air quality issues in London. LAEI 2022 represents an update on the previous inventory which was for 2019.
The new data highlight both substantial progress and ongoing challenges in improving the city’s air quality since Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor in 2016. While reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PM2.5 have been notable, levels of PM10 have remained relatively stable.
Since 2016, London has seen a significant decrease in overall emissions, particularly within road transport. NOx emissions from road traffic have been reduced by more than half, falling 52% by 2022.
Looking more broadly across Greater London, total NOx emissions fell by 23% between 2019 and 2022, building on a 19% reduction already achieved between 2016 and 2019.
Forecasts suggest this downward trend will continue, with a further 12% cut expected by 2025 and a 29% reduction projected by 2030 compared to 2022 levels.
The impact of initiatives such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been significant with NOx emissions from road traffic falling by 30% between 2019 and 2022, following a 31% reduction between 2016 and 2019.
Projections indicate that road traffic NOx emissions will fall by a further 38% by 2025 and as much as 68% by 2030.
Between 2019 and 2022, total PM2.5 emissions fell by 6%, with forecasts predicting additional declines of 4% by 2025 and 11% by 2030.
In contrast, no progress has been seen in reducing PM10 emissions. Despite emissions from road transport falling by 14%, these gains have been negated by an increase in emissions from construction activity, particularly in central London, where it is the dominant source of PM10.
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest total PM10 emissions could fall by 7% by 2025 and 12% by 2030, but only if action is taken to address emissions from the construction sector.
More data will be released in the autumn, including concentration maps, population exposure data for NO2 and PM2.5 and air pollution exposure at schools, care homes and hospitals.
All the data can be accessed here.
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