Sadiq Khan praises ULEZ expansion as pollution-related deaths plummet
Key Points
- New analysis shows that estimated deaths associated with air pollution in London have fallen by 40%.
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has praised the role of ULEZ and its expansion in helping to prevent pollution-related deaths.
- He said that expanding ULEZ was not an easy decision, but the data shows that it was the right one to make despite opposition.
Independent analysis from Imperial College London shows that estimated deaths associated with air pollution in London have fallen by 40%.
The data shows that the number of estimated deaths linked to air pollution in 2019 was recorded at 6,400-8,100. In 2024, that number had fallen to around 3,800 – 5,100.
This coincides with a decrease in Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels of 41%, as well as a decline in fine particulate pollution of 28%.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has praised the success of his Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) policies and their role in reducing air pollution in London.
Looking at the data published by Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group, Khan feels specifically vindicated in his fight to expand the ULEZ zone to outer London boroughs.
The boroughs with the highest proportion of deaths attributable to air pollution in 2024 were in outer London boroughs like Bexley, Havering, and Sutton, a fact which City Hall said underlines the importance of the Mayor taking on opponents to the ULEZ expansion.
ULEZ is now the largest clean air zone of its kind in the world, and in 2024, London met legal limits for NO2 pollution for the first time.
Decision to expand ULEZ was not easy
“The decision to expand the ULEZ was not an easy decision, but it’s now proven beyond doubt that it was crucial to protect the health and lives of Londoners,” Khan said.
“The evidence is now overwhelming and unarguable: the bold action we have taken in London has reduced pollution, improved public health and saved lives.”
“This latest data shows why expanding ULEZ London-wide was even more important than we previously thought and is transforming lives right across our capital,” he said.
“However, I’m not complacent. Despite our incredible progress, there is still more to do.”
The Mayor cited his track record on improving the air quality in London, including introducing and expanding ULEZ, supporting transition to more efficient vehicles with the scrappage scheme, and increasing the number of zero-emission buses.
Countering worries about ULEZ affecting retail spending and footfall, the Mayor said that visitor footfall in outer London has actually increased by almost 2% in the year following the ULEZ expansion.
