London air cleanup could prevent 44,000 deaths by 2050
New research suggests decarbonising transport and buildings would add £2.2bn to the capital's economy.
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Further investment in air quality could prevent 44,000 premature deaths and add £2.2bn to the London economy by 2050, according to research by the Clean Air Fund. The study, commissioned from CBI Economics and WSP, suggests that achieving net zero through decarbonising transport, industry, and buildings would yield significant benefits for the capital.
Local pollution hotspots
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While nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels fell within legal limits last October, London's baseline pollution remains higher than many other UK cities. Data from the Geographic Data Service indicates that the most polluted areas in the country are located within the capital. Specifically, an area in Camden covering parts of Holborn, St Giles, and Covent Garden is the most polluted neighbourhood in the UK. Residents in this neighbourhood face annual averages of 21µg of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 34µg of NO2. These figures exceed the World Health Organization recommendations of 5µg for PM2.5 and 15µg for NO2.
Economic and health dividends
In London, we’ve found that there is a really significant impact due to high pollution levels, meaning it really feels the benefits.
Nick Smith, Clean Air Fund’s head of UK Portfolio
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Predictive modelling suggests London could gain 533,000 life-years and nine million additional working days if emissions are reduced. Nick Smith, head of UK Portfolio at the Clean Air Fund, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the impact on workforce health and productivity would be significant. He noted that while policies like the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) have been transformative, the uptake of electric vans has been slower than other vehicle types.
City Hall policy impact
City Hall has implemented several measures to improve air quality, including the Ulez and the Congestion Charge. Experts at King's College London estimated in 2016 that London would take 193 years to meet legal NO2 limits without intervention, but current policies brought levels within legal limits in nine years. However, a spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that long-term exposure to pollution still contributed to up to 5,100 premature deaths in London in 2024.
The Mayor's office stated that the expansion of the Ulez London-wide was a crucial decision to protect public health. Despite these efforts, the Mayor admitted in May that London would not reach net zero by 2030, citing a lack of devolved control over the energy grid as a contributing factor.
Questions this report answers
+How many lives could London save by 2050 with cleaner air?
The research shows that meeting net zero targets could prevent 44,000 premature deaths in London by 2050. This means cleaner air policies would have a major impact on public health and longevity across the capital.
+What is the cost of improving London’s air quality?
The study estimates that decarbonising transport, industry, and buildings would add £2.2bn to London’s economy by 2050. This economic boost comes alongside significant health benefits, making the investment worthwhile.
+Which London area has the worst air pollution?
The most polluted neighbourhood in the UK is in Camden, covering parts of Holborn, St Giles, and Covent Garden. Residents here face annual averages of 21µg of PM2.5 and 34µg of NO2, far above WHO recommendations.
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