The world is changing dramatically day by day, and mostly in ways that spell problems for the environment and our ability to live in the manner to which we have become accustomed.

However amongst all the gloom, a piece of news appeared recently that showed hope for a less damaging future.

Despite fierce opposition to the 2023 expansion of the London ULEZ zone, data released last week by the Greater London Authority and reviewed by an independent advisory group of experts indicated that Ulez had had a positive impact and that London’s air quality had improved across the board and at a faster rate than that of the rest of the country. The biggest gains were seen in Central London where annual average PM2.5 concentrations fell from 17 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017 to 8 in 2024. Inner London also showed significant falls.

Several London councils launched unsuccessful legal challenges to the rollout of ULEZ across a wider area, and Keir Starmer blamed it for Labour’s loss of the Ruislip and Uxbridge byelection.

Not only dangerous pollutants such as PM2.5 have been reduced, but significant falls in carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were recorded.

Maria Neira, the director of environment, climate change and health at the World Health Organization (WHO), praised London’s efforts, which she said would “contribute to a healthier and more sustainable urban environment”.

Under the ULEZ rules a small number of the most polluting vehicles pay a £12.50 charge to be driven inside the zone. Most petrol cars under 19 years old and diesel cars under nine years old are exempt. The latest figures show that 97% of the vehicles in the capital are now compliant and have no fee to pay.

So what does this mean for people’s health? Toxic air affects every organ in the human body and increases the risk of suffering a number of conditions including asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, poor cognitive development in children and dementia in older people.

About 4,000 premature deaths a year in London were previously attributed to air pollution. The people suffering most (and who have had the most benefit from ULEZ) are in deprived communities close to the busiest roads. It has been estimated that in 2023 80% fewer people were exposed to illegal pollution.

Each phase of ULEZ has led to clear improvements in air quality in London. As the director of the Clean Air in London Campaign, Simon Birkett, says: ULEZ, together with related measures such as cleaner buses and taxis, have almost single-handedly helped London to slash nitrogen dioxide concentrations by two-thirds near busy roads, and nearly comply with legal limits and the WHO’s 2005 air quality guidelines … probably ahead of smaller UK cities.

We often think that Ramsgate, beside the sea and with much lower levels of population and traffic, should have extremely good air quality. However, PM2.5 concentrations averaged across the town are 17.1 micrograms per cubic metre, the same level as central London before the extension of the ULEZ zone. Today’s level (from Accuweather.com) shows a PM2.5 concentration of 35 micrograms per cubic metre, regarded as unhealthy. Much of Ramsgate’s air pollution originates from shipping in the Channel and industry in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands, which shows that air pollution, like climate change, is not a local issue but an international one.

The solution remains the introduction of cleaner fuels (and particularly, electric propulsion sources and industrial processes) and, where possible, a reduction in total miles travelled. We shall see how this plays with the President of the USA’s change in focus away from environment-friendly policies towards increasing fossil fuel consumption.

I had a response following my last article about the ‘politicisation’ of the Society, which rather mistakes the Society’s approach. While politics drives our response to many major issues, I firmly believe that the environment should not be a political football.

All parties should work together to protect both UK and world citizens from the damaging effects of climate change and environmental harms.

The success of ULEZ in reducing pollution-related deaths and in-utero harm demonstrates very clearly why this should be the case.

Phil Shotton,

Ramsgate Society Lead on Environment and Climate Change