air quality

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Experts estimate that excessive amounts of nitrogen oxides or NOx in the air kill between 6,000 and 13,000 people in Germany every year

German court rules cities can ban diesel cars to tackle pollution

Millions of heavily polluting vehicles could eventually disappear from roads across Germany after its top administrative court ruled that cities have the right to ban diesel motors in an effort to improve deadly air quality levels.

At a business level, the research found that the loss of three million working days could be prevented by meeting WHO guideline

UK could save £1.6bn and 17,000 deaths by improving air quality, report finds

Improving air quality in England in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines could deliver a £1.6bn benefit while preventing 17,000 premature deaths each year that are linked to air pollution.

The move comes as Defra is developing new national air quality targets under the Environment Bill

Oxford unveils plans for UK's first local air pollution targets

Oxford City Council has set out plans to introduce more ambitious air quality targets than the UK's current, legally binding goals, in what it claims is a national first.

The ESG Handbook 2020: Spurring the green recovery

Green finance and ESG investing were reaching a tipping point, then the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world. The virus hasn’t so much as tipped the scales towards ESG investing but rather poured most of the world’s financial system towards it.

edie Explains: The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

What are the TCFD recomendations? Why does climate disclosure matter? How do you access the financial impacts of climate change? And, what is scenario analysis? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

edie Explains: Smart Grids

What is a smart grid and why is it important? What are the potential business benefits of the smart grid transition? And how mature is the smart grid concept in the UK? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

45-Minute Masterclass: Accelerating the smart grid transition for your business

With distributed energy assets fast becoming a mainstream part of the UK power network, this live online masterclass will equip businesses with the insights and inspiration they need to decentralise, decarbonise and democratise their energy through smart grid technologies and systems.

Pre-pandemic, most urban areas in the UK registered illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, and the nation's overall levels exceeded World Health Organisation limits

Business for Clean Air: New initiative to help corporates tackle air pollution as lockdown lifts

Large UK businesses are now able to access a new array of tools aimed at helping them to tackle air pollution, after numerous surveys revealed that the British public are keen to see improvements in air quality maintained after lockdown.

WWF is calling on the Government to introduce a net-zero economic test that ensures that government spending and taxation is aligned towards the 2050 target

Green recovery: Net-zero transition can create £90bn annual benefits for the UK

The UK's net-zero transition can be the perfect remedy to the economic and health crises caused by the coronavirus, according to a new WWF-commissioned report that suggests that net-zero could deliver more than £90bn in annual benefits to the UK while growing the job market.

BT has also reached some key sustainability targets

BT launches innovation platform and UK electric fleet alliance

BT has today (1 June) launched two new platforms to help accelerate green innovation in the UK and drive the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) fleets, both of which the tech giant believes will contribute to a green post-Covid19 recovery for the UK.

The health organisations are the latest to call for a green recovery

World health groups call for green coronavirus recovery

A coalition of global healthcare organisations, backed by more than 40 million healthcare professionals, have coordinated a written plea to governments to deliver health-based and climate-focused economic recoveries from the coronavirus pandemic.

The empty streets of Paris as a result of the lockdown, which is only starting to be lifted in the country

Lockdown sees global emissions fall by 17%

New research has suggested that daily global carbon emissions recorded in April 2020 were 17% lower compared to the same month last year, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic and forced lockdowns and postponement in production.

Because of the coronavirus, more than 1.5 billion children globally are unable to attend school

New kids on the block: How Minecraft is shaping the next generation of green workers during lockdown

With 1.5 billion children globally unable to attend school during the lockdown, companies including TEDEd, EIT InnoEnergy and the makers of gaming sensation Minecraft have rolled out engaging online content aimed at harnessing the momentum of the 2019 climate strikes.

Bamford estimates that the Government may need to provide around £500m Image: km30192002 / CC BY

Wrightbus unveils plans to produce 3,000 hydrogen buses for use across UK cities

The owner of Northern Ireland bus manufacturer Wrightbus has unveiled a vision to put 3,000 hydrogen-powered bus into operation across key UK cities in a bid to reduce air pollution and spur job growth.

A government spokeswoman said the delay to CAZs would help the authorities in Leeds, Birmingham and Bath focus on their response to coronavirus

UK cities postpone clean air zone plans due to Covid-19 crisis

The introduction of pollution-busting clean air zones in cities has been postponed by the coronavirus crisis, as authorities combat the outbreak.

The platform will enable EVs to charge when costs are at their lowest and manage renewable assets cost effectively

UPS integrates AI software at Camden depot to optimise clean EV charging

Logistics delivery giant UPS will spearhead a new project exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems can optimise how businesses charge electric vehicle (EV) fleets and integrate onsite renewables to reduce emissions and energy costs.

Environmental net gain: An enduring development concept for resilient legacies

Chair of the Environmental Industries Commission's Natural Capital taskforce on why we should move towards environmental net gain.

The Bill confirms that the OEP will cover all climate change legislation, including the commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050

UK Government's 'gold standard' Environment Bill reintroduced

The UK Government's long-awaited Environment Bill has finally been reintroduced to Parliament, outlining powers to stop the exports of plastic waste to developing countries, and revamped governance systems on clean air and biodiversity and two-yearly reviews to update the Bill if required.

Tom joined Asos in 2019, bringing his green learnings from almost six years at Landsec to the table

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Tom Byrne, Asos

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Tom Byrne, senior sustainability manager at Asos.

Eilidh Joined Laing O'Rourke around the same time the company signed its contract with Tideway - the project delivering London's 'super-sewer'

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Eilidh Johnston, Laing O'Rourke

The bikes aim to reduce both emissions and costs

London businesses turn to cargo bikes to slash Christmas logistics emissions

During the Christmas period, workplace deliveries of personal online shopping rose by nearly two-thirds (62.5%) with 77% concerned about environmental impact, according to Transport for London (TFL).

Airlabs’ Airbubbl technology can remove up to 95% of harmful particulate matter and gases from inside a vehicle

Red Bull fits air filtration technology in new company cars

International energy drinks company Red Bull has installed air filtration devices into a fleet of new cars operating in central London to protect drivers from pollution, after new research found that in-car air quality in the region can be up to four times higher recommended safety limits.

How to get the public onside in the fight against air pollution

We haven't yet got the public onside in tackling air pollution. More people now know that air pollution kills, however, while the majority of people are concerned about air pollution, less than half know what to do to protect their health and even fewer are actually doing these things.

The manifesto places a big focus on energy efficiency and bills

Conservatives confirm plastic export ban and £9bn energy improvements in manifesto

The Conservatives have finally unveiled their party manifesto, which commits to ban plastic exports outside of developed countries, a multi-billion pound energy efficiency scheme for homes and a promise to "go carbon neutral by 2050 and Corbyn neutral by Christmas".

The report notes that technologies such as smart sensors and big data will enable EVs to integrate better with existing infrastructure and public transport, cutting traffic and improving air quality as a result

Policy gaps stifling profitability of digital revolution for clean transport

A new report from think tank The Green Alliance has warned that policy gaps and the uncertainty of Brexit is halting investment from manufacturers into the "new competitiveness frontier" of smart technology for electric vehicles (EVs), which risks pushing the UK's net-zero emissions goal out of reach.

The initiative supports the BreatheLife’ campaign for clean air, a network of more than 70 cities, regions and countries, reaching over 288 million people

Air cleaning project at Marylebone Station extended for another year

BNP Paribas, Chiltern Railways and advertising firm JCDecaux have agreed to expand an air-cleaning project at London's Marylebone Station for a further year, after positive first-year results.

A target of 2030 or sooner was supported by a majority of people in every age group

General Election: Majority of UK public calls for net-zero target to be pushed forward

More than half of UK citizens believe the Government should push the target to reach net-zero ambitions by 2050 forward by at least 20 years, with climate policy set to be a key battleground for the upcoming general election.

The UK's EV market grew by a record-breaking 19% in 2018, with one EV being registered every nine minutes

Government consults on green license plates for electric vehicles

The UK Government has launched a consultation on introducing green license plates for electric vehicles (EVs) to make them easily recognisable and gain access to benefits such as cheaper parking and access to bus lanes.

Polluting vehicles account for around half of London’s harmful NOx air emissions, with air pollution costing the capital up to £3.7bn annually

Air pollution reduced by a third in London's ULEZ

As new data reveals that air pollution is increasing the number of people suffering from severe health conditions, London City Hall has revealed that the introduction of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has slashed pollution levels by a third and carbon emissions by 13%.

While half of our European neighbours manage to comply with legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution, 36 out of 43 UK air quality zones regularly breach the rules

Little progress made in tackling air pollution in Europe, research says

Little progress has been made on tackling air quality in Europe despite public outcry in many countries and increasing awareness of the health impacts of pollution, new research shows.

You’ve got the power: Fleet managers, it’s time to go electric

How can fleet managers keep the cost of their vehicles as low as possible, ensure their operations are future-proofed and, crucially, operate in the most environmentally friendly way possible? The answer lies in electric vehicles (EVs), which can fulfill all these aims simultaneously, whilst offering a point of difference to potential employees and customers.

The Government has unveiled how it plans to leave the environment in a better state

Deposit return schemes and biodiversity net-gain: Raft of new policies unveiled in Environment Bill

The UK Government has launched its new governance system on issues covering clean air, waste management and plastics pollution, natural capital approaches and water stewardship, in the form of the long-awaited Environment Bill.

The bill builds on the 25 Year Plan for the Environment. Pictured: Derwentwater in the Lake District

Optimistic but lacking action: Green groups offer mixed reaction to Environment Bill

The Environment Bill has been published today and the reaction is already in from the UK's green business community on the legislation and its impact on corporate sustainability.

According to the World Health Organization, nine in 10 citizens around the world breathe dirty air, with seven people dying prematurely due to health problems linked to air pollution

London joins global cities on 'race to the top' for clean air

The mayors of 35 cities, including London, Los Angeles and Milan, have signed a new declaration to tackle the dangers of air pollution and the climate crisis by pledging to improve air quality through measures that go above and beyond existing national commitments.

Dublin is one of the first European cities to use the EIE platform

Google's city emissions tool expands into Europe

Google's online emissions dataset tool to help city planners build policies to lower emissions has launched across Europe today, with Dublin, Krakow, Birmingham, and the greater metropolitan area of Manchester set to use it to assist with planning developments.

Introducing the Business Clean Air Taskforce

In campaigning, as in so many walks of life, the sum is often greater than the parts. That's why Global Action Plan is collaborating with government and business in a new initiative to step up the fight against air pollution.

Policies on energy, nature, waste and air quality are all at risk to Brexit

Post-Brexit threats to green policy intensifying, think tank warns

UK think tank Greener UK has warned that threats to environmental regulations related to climate change, waste, air quality and natural resources are escalating due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

The policy framework aims to foster a "just" transition to net-zero

Green New Deal Bill launched by Lucas and Lewis

The full version of the so-called Green New Deal bill has been released by Green MP Caroline Lucas and Labour MP Clive Lewis as climate strikes continue across the UK.

The new target builds on those already set separately by individual bus firms. Image: Arriva

UK bus industry targets petrol and diesel phase-out

Organisations representing more than 95% of the UK's bus industry have pledged to only invest in low-emission vehicles from 2025, over concerns surrounding climate change and air pollution.

The project is being backed by Innovate UK, which supported the 18-month upcycling process

Veolia upcycles two end-of-life diesel vehicles with electric engines

Resource management firm Veolia is set to trial two electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (eRCV) in Westminster, after 'upcycling' old diesel vehicles that were approaching the end of their life.

Since the London ULEZ launched in April, the number of non-compliant vehicles travelling through the capital daily has decreased by one-quarter. Image: City Hall

City-based Clean Air Zones 'would boost UK economy by £6.5bn'

By implementing designated Clean Air Zones in which polluting vehicles are fined to travel, UK cities could collectively reap economic benefits of £6.5bn.

In December 2018, the UK Government unveiled its highly anticipated Sector Deal for the aerospace industry,

From flying taxis to freight drones: Government funnels £300m into future of aviation

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new £300m investment to develop low-carbon transport, with technologies such as flying urban taxis, electric planes and freight drones expected to be supported.

Velocys hopes to have the facility operational in the 2020s

Planning application submitted for Europe's first low-carbon jet fuel plant in North East Lincolnshire

A planning application has been submitted for Europe's first commercial-scale plant to transform waste into a low-carbon jet fuel, with a site chosen in North East Lincolnshire.

The freeze on fuel duty has saved motorists about £6bn since 2010, but is estimated to have increased traffic by 4%

Raise car fuel prices to fight air pollution, says right-wing thinktank

Vehicle fuel taxes should rise to combat the air pollution crisis in the UK, with an extra charge on diesel, according to the conservative thinktank Bright Blue.

The firm's overarching and ongoing ambition is to “use as little fossil fuel as possible”. Image: Arriva

Arriva 'on-track' to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals

Public transport provider Arriva has revealed that it is "on-track" to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions across Europe, including a 2026 goal to reach zero emissions in Limburg, the Netherlands.

‘Well’ under control

In The Salmon of Doubt, author Douglas Adams writes: "We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works." These are words that we can and should apply to our experience of technology in the workplace.

(L-R) Theresa Villiers now heads up Defra, while Andrea Leadsom leads BEIS

BEIS and Defra's new look: What we know about Leadsom and Villiers' views on the environment

And breathe. In what has been the biggest political reshuffle since the 1960s, Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Business Secretary at BEIS, while Theresa Villiers has become Defra's new Environment Secretary. So, how well do the pair match up with their respective briefs?

From 1 September 2019, all new cars sold in the UK will have to meet “real driving emissions” standards that put stringent limits on the amount of nitrogen oxides that can be emitted

Nissan refuses government request on Qashqai emissions

Nissan's decision to ignore a government request for emissions modifications to thousands of polluting cars has been branded a scandal by environmental campaigners.

The roundtable was chaired by Business in the Community’s environmental director Gudrun Cartwright and included 16 other sustainability and climate leaders

Climate leadership roundtable: Are we on the right track for a net-zero economy?

The UK Government's recent move to legislate for net-zero emissions by 2050 has been widely welcomed across the green economy - but how should businesses respond? edie recently convened a group of sustainability leaders from an array of industry sectors to discuss exactly that.

The international shipping industry is currently responsible for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions

UK launches Clean Maritime Strategy to spur net-zero ambitions

The UK Government has announced a new maritime strategy, calling for all new vessels to be designed with zero-emissions capable technologies by 2025.

A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations aimed at tackling dirty air have emerged since Clean Air Day 2018

Bio-solar 'leaves' and electric ice cream vans: The best green innovations for Clean Air Day

To mark Clean Air Day (20 June), edie has rounded up some of the best innovations being explored by companies across the globe to help tackle the environmental and health impacts of air pollution.

TCFD uses scenario analysis to map company performance against various global warming trajectories

Can TCFD recommendations communicate a business response to the 'climate emergency'?

Against a backdrop of Extinction Rebellion protests and declarations of a "climate emergency", businesses will need to articulate their role in combatting climate change. Could the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures' (TCFD) recommendations create the ideal framework to do so?

Corbyn launches bid to declare a national climate emergency

Labour will this week force a vote in parliament to declare a national environmental and climate change emergency as confidential documents show the government has spent only a fraction of a £100m fund allocated in 2015 to support clean air projects.

Navigating the ULEZ as a small London business

Zipcar UK's general manager Jonathan Hampson on how London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will require a huge behavioural shift among businesses that taps into economic growth and the ongoing climate strikes.

'You did not act in time': Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs

Read the full text of the speech Greta Thunberg gave to MPs at the Houses of Parliament, originally hosted by the Guardian.

Failures to meet air pollution regulations cost the EU economy €24.6bn, the study found Pictured: London, where 10 air pollution alerts have been issued since May 2016

Report: Failure to implement clean air laws cost EU €24bn in 2018

By failing to meet targets and regulations set out in EU environmental laws, Member States collectively cost the bloc's economy almost €55bn last year, a new report from the European Commission's Directorate General for the Environment has found.

The ULEZ replaces the T-Charge and operates alongside the Congestion Charge

Everything you need to know about London's ULEZ

The world's first Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been introduced across central London today (8 April), in a bid to reduce air pollution levels and carbon emissions from transport across the capital. Here, edie rounds up what, precisely, the Zone entails, and the impact it will have on business.

More than £2.5m each has been offered for clean bus tech to the top bidding local authorities

Fresh £25m round of clean bus funding for local authorities

New funding from Government has been offered to 14 local authorities as part of the Clean Bus Technology Fund.

This week's innovations could drive significant sustainability progress across the catering, wine and EV sectors

NASA-certified showers and AI-enabled bins: The best green innovations of the week

Each week, many eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations emerge that could help businesses and nations accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. And each week, edie rounds-up six of the best.

The latest episode of the sustainable business covered podcast features four exclusive interviews

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: ZEDpods, World Water Day and the 12 goals of Exeter

Episode 59 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees Matt, Sarah and newcomer James Evison deliver interviews discussing World Water Day, low-carbon buildings and a 12-step plan to improve health and sustainability in the city of Exeter.

How to produce an engaging sustainability report: Seven steps to success

Sustainability reporting has evolved from a niche practice to a mainstream aspect of corporate governance. The modern sustainability report is a vital tool to ENGAGE with shareholders, employees, stakeholders and, increasingly, consumers.

The Clean Air Zone in Birmingham has been described as 'much needed' by the council

Birmingham Clean Air Zone given green light by Government

Plans for a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Birmingham have received Government approval following the submission of its full business case last month.

The document calls on the Government to help local authorities as they strive to invest in low-carbon public transport

Public Health England: Cities should be 'redesigned' in fight against air pollution

Public Health England (PHE) has urged the UK Government to introduce more ambitious policies aimed at reducing air pollution and minimising its health impacts in cities, including a "redesign" of key urban areas and a ban on drivers idling outside school gates.

Liftshare customers are set to save the UK 50,000MtCO2 in 2019 alone through shared car journeys

Liftshare to deliver one billion saved car miles by 2020

Ride-sharing firm Liftshare is on course to save one billion miles of car transport on UK roads by March 2020, the firm claims.

Since May 2016, 10 air pollution alerts have been issued in London

London pollution alert issued as regional air quality deemed 'unsafe'

Following several days of high local transport emissions coupled with light winds bringing particulate pollution to the UK from mainland Europe, a high air pollution alert has been issued for London.

Charities and businesses that access the fund can receive a £6,000 payment to assist with the running costs for a new electric vehicle

London Mayor launches £23m van scrappage fund

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has opened a £23m scrappage fund to help charities and small businesses switch older, polluting vans for cleaner vehicles.

The #LoveCleanAir message is being used for the National Clean Air Summit taking place in London today

Clean Air Summit: London Mayor doubles scrappage fund for polluting vehicles

London Mayor Sadiq Khan will today (14 February) announce a new £25m fund that will double the cash available to help business owners and London residents to scrap older, polluting vehicles, one the same day that city leaders call on Government to establish a £1.5bn clean vehicle upgrade programme.

A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations aimed at tackling dirty air have emerged in recent times

Pollutant-trapping pavements and electric rickshaws: The best green innovations to tackle air quality

To coincide with the UK's Clean Air Summit, edie has rounded up some of the ground-breaking innovations being explored by companies across the globe as we look to tackle the dangers of air pollution.

According to Uber, more than half the miles on UberX journeys – which seat up to four passengers - in London are already in hybrids or EVs. Image: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

Uber set to launch 15p eco-charge for London journeys

Ride-hailing firm Uber is launching its 15p per-mile "eco-charge" for all journeys taken within London, in the same week that Sadiq Khan has unveiled the world's largest air quality network in the capital.

Ministers said the number of people living in areas with pollution above WHO guidelines would be halved by 2025

New air pollution plans improve on EU rules, Government claims

The Government has set out new plans on air pollution that ministers say go beyond existing EU rules, with a pledge to improve air quality nationwide to the standards the World Health Organization (WH0) recommends.

Sadiq Khan has urged London’s drivers and business owners who drive in the Congestion Zone to check whether their vehicles comply with the new ULEZ rules ahead of its launch in April

Report: London Mayor's air quality measures set to benefit poorest the most

Sadiq Khan's measures to tackle London's air quality crisis will "substantially" improve the health of people living in the capital's most deprived areas, new research has found.

The innovative transport solutions making cities more liveable

Our cities are facing unprecedented challenges. Urban populations are growing at a staggering rate and it is estimated that by 2050, 68% of the world's population will be living in cities. Such urbanisation puts pressure on every part of a city's status quo, and no transport is no exception - so how can we continue to move people around cities without worsening existing chronic congestion and air quality issues?

Have your say on what the 'hot topics' in the UK's sustainability sphere could be in 2019

VOTE: Which sustainability issue will have its 'plastics moment' in 2019?

New years are always a time of reflection, introspection and planning - for sustainability professionals and the general public alike. With this in mind, edie has explored the environmental and social issues which could have their own "plastics moment" in 2019.

The launch of the scrappage scheme comes at a time when vehicles are estimated to account for almost half of London’s nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions

London Mayor unveils van scrappage scheme for small businesses

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has today (18 December) unveiled plans for a new £23m van scrappage scheme, aimed at helping small business owners switch from old diesel vehicles to low-carbon alternatives.

10 ideas to drive forward your energy behaviour change strategy

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundable participants shared experiences of staff engagement and behaviour change initiatives and techniques, while also exploring practical steps that businesses can implement to overcome barriers and foster the desired behaviours amongst staff.

The move forms part of Khan's pledge to ensure all of London's buses are zero-emission by 2037

London Mayor launches five new low-emission bus zones across capital

Sadiq Khan has unveiled five new Low Emission Bus Zones (LEBZs) across London, in a drive to tackle the city's air pollution problem.

EAC chair Mary Creagh has dubbed the Government's response to concerns about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the green economy

MPs call for ‘watchdog with teeth' to oversee environmental standards post-Brexit

MPs have called on the Government to strengthen the commitments made in its 25-year Environment Plan in order to prepare for the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, claiming that the UK is currently at risk of losing one-third of green legislation if no agreement with the EU is agreed.

During the trial, vehicles which are not ULEZ compliant will be blocked from entering Moor Lane, near Moorgate

London City Corporation to launch capital's first low-emission street

With the Mayor of London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme set to be rolled out across the capital next year, the City of London Corporation has unveiled plans to create what it claims is the city's first low-emission street.

The RCP, which has seen membership reach 34,500 physicians in the UK, has also implemented new waste management processes to reduce its plastic waste and increase its recycling

Royal College of Physicians achieves Carbon Trust Standard certification

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has been recognised for recording a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint over a three-year period by becoming the first royal college to receive the Carbon Trust Standard certification.

Airlabs claims the technology can remove 95% of airborne pollutants

Air-cleaning technology fitted at Marylebone Station

BNP Paribas, Chiltern Railways and advertising firm JCDecaux have teamed up with Danish startup Airlabs to showcase cutting-edge air filter technology at London's Marylebone Station today (31 October).

The EV industry viewpoint: Charging towards the future

With air quality and climate change dominating headlines and public opinion, the UK is charging ahead into a future of electric motoring.

The mayors claim that a further £1.5bn of Government funding is needed to improve the nation's air quality to a level compliant with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines

UK mayors lobby for £1.5bn funding to tackle Britain's air pollution

A group of 16 mayors and city leaders have called on the UK Government to set aside an extra £1.5bn of investment to boost its existing Clean Air Fund, ahead of next week's Budget announcement.

The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign estimates that the plans will see an extra 80,000 flights depart from Gatwick each year

Green campaigners slam Gatwick's plans to use emergency runway to boost capacity

Green campaign groups have criticised Gatwick Airport's newly-announced plans to bring its emergency runway into daily use, citing concerns over climate impacts and air pollution.

Car manufacturers were fined billions in the US and Germany, but have yet to pay any significant financial penalty in the UK for selling polluting vehicles

Number of dirty diesels on road still growing, report shows

The number of dirty diesel vehicles pumping out toxic emissions on Europe's streets is still rising three years after the Dieselgate scandal began, according to a new report. More than seven million such cars and vans remain on UK roads alone.

The Climate Coach: Transport

It will take you twenty minutes to get there - depending on traffic. Not an unusual statement wherever you live. People design cities and communities and yet often it is people that seem to be least considered as most of the space for movement is taken up by cars, vans and lorries. Pedestrians are pushed to the side and cyclists must brave traffic with a risk for their lives.

Google believes the data will reduce time and costs for cities hoping to implement emission reduction targets

Google launches new online data tool to help cities lower emissions

Google has launched a new online tool to help city planners build policies to lower emissions by targeting projects in the built environment, transport and clean energy sectors.

The scheme has been rolled out nationwide after DVSA examiners caught 449 drivers with emissions

DVSA begins national crackdown on lorry emissions cheat devices

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiners will begin routinely checking the lorries they stop at the roadside for emissions gaming devices in a bid to combat air pollution.

The group of 17 leaders have made three recommendations on how to best tackle the UK's air pollution problem

UK mayors call for Theresa May to deliver 'tough and urgent' action on air pollution

The leaders of 17 UK cities including London, Greater Manchester and Liverpool have made a joint call for Prime Minister Theresa May to take "tough and urgent action" to reduce the nation's air pollution levels.

World Water Week: Valuing our natural environment

We all 'appreciate' a babbling brook and beautiful rivers and oceans, but what is the value of our natural environment? World Water Week provides us all with the perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of water stewardship, which is not only about doing the right thing, it's also about generating real business benefits as a result.

Machine makers are leading the way to low-carbon

With regulators and markets increasingly demanding the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors, we are on the verge of a low-carbon industrial revolution. However, to get over the line the products and services supplied to these sectors need to transform.

Marine transport has time and time again been highlighted as an industry where green progress continues to be slow

Innovation required to spur cargo shipping sector towards 2050 emission reduction targets

Despite recent progress towards decarbonisation by the world's leading maritime shipping companies, the sector is in need of innovation to spur it towards the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 2050 target of halving CO2 emissions from 2008 levels.

Drivers will use an app which automatically assesses their vehicle emissions before paying for parking

London City Corporation launches capital's low-emission parking tariff

The City of London Corporation has announced that it will launch what it claims is the capital's first "environmentally-friendly" parking tariff, offering discounted parking rates for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid drivers in a bid to incentivise sustainable travel.

The PM said that a new Environment Bill would help deliver “opportunities we think will be available to us in this area when we leave the EU”. Image: Raul Mee

Theresa May confirms UK will publish an Environment Bill

Theresa May has announced that the Government will introduce a new Environmental Bill that incorporates measures on air quality among a range of issues.

Khan's ambition is for all London buses to be zero-emission by 2037

London Mayor to create Europe's largest electric bus fleet

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has ordered 68 fully-electric double-decker buses in a bid to create the largest fleet of its kind in Europe.

Ministers last summer followed France by pledging to halt new petrol and diesel car sales by 2040

'Bold action’ required: UK mayors unite in calls for 2030 diesel and petrol phase-out

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has teamed up with the mayors of Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands to urge ministers to bring forward their 2040 ban on new diesel and petrol car sales by a decade.

As a nation, health costs associated with vehicle emissions reach £6bn annually

Report: Switching to EVs could save £325m in health costs

If every new car in 2019 were electric it would help save more than £325m in health costs in the first year, according to new analysis which found that the health impact costs of diesel cars are far higher than petrol or electric counterparts.

BMW diesel engines have the lowest nitrogen oxide emissions of all European automakers, according to a report from the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC)

Diesel is not dead: BMW sees 'clean' diesel in its vehicle portfolio

EXCLUSIVE: BMW Group UK's i and iPerformance national corporate sales manager, Hannah Bishop, has claimed that the car manufacturer continues to see clean diesel as an important part of its vehicle mix, despite the Government's commitment to phasing out the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2040.

The new clean air strategy is a response to an EU directive on cutting harmful emissions

UK's new air pollution strategy 'hugely disappointing', says Labour

A new clean air strategy published by the UK government has been criticised as "hugely disappointing" by the Labour party. Other groups said it did little to tackle the dirty diesel vehicles that are the main source of toxic air in urban areas.

Clean Air Day 2018: Our opportunity to address air pollution

What will you do for Clean Air Day 2018? 21 June is just one month away and the opportunity for sustainability professionals to bring the issue of air pollution to the attention of our workplaces is on the horizon.