A new study by Transport & Environment ranks London as the worst city worldwide for air pollution caused by aviation, with emissions equivalent to over 3 million cars. The research calls for urgent action to mitigate the environmental and health impacts.
London has been ranked as the worst city in the world for air pollution caused by aviation, a study by the Transport & Environment think tank has revealed. The research found that emissions resulting from planes taking off and landing in London’s airports amount to the equivalent of 3.23 million cars, placing the UK capital ahead of Tokyo and Dubai in terms of aviation-related pollution. The study specifically pointed to the contribution of London’s six airports to the city’s air quality issues, highlighting the significant exposure of residents to harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions.
In terms of individual airports, Dubai International airport was identified as the most polluting, emitting 20.1 million tonnes of CO2 in a single year. Heathrow airport in London followed closely, with emissions reaching 19.1 million tonnes of CO2. These figures underline the substantial climate impact of major airports, with the largest 20 airports globally producing carbon emissions on par with 58 coal-fired power stations.
Jo Dardenne, the aviation director at Transport & Environment, emphasized the detrimental effects of airport pollution on both public health and the environment. The slow progress in adopting clean technologies within the sector was highlighted as a particularly urgent issue, with the study casting a spotlight on the health risks associated with toxic emissions around airports.
The publication of these findings comes amid a broader discussion about the aviation industry’s role in climate change and public health, further intensified by a High Court claim brought forward by the mother of a nine-year-old girl who died from asthma, aggravated by pollution, seeking to establish a “right to clean air.”
Calls for action have been made to address the environmental consequences of aviation, with suggestions including the implementation of night flight bans and improvements in fuel efficiency. Experts are urging decision-makers to weigh the long-term impacts of airport expansion and the aviation sector’s emissions more heavily, with an emphasis on reducing flights to ensure a sustainable future. Heathrow Airport has been approached for comment on the study’s findings, marking a critical moment for the industry to respond to the growing concerns over its environmental and health impacts.
