Local Authorities In England Praised For Clean Air Progress In New Study

Local authorities in England have prevented an estimated 13,722 deaths through clean air initiatives between 2019 and 2025, according to a new report from the UK100 network of councils. The findings underscore the power of local action in tackling one of the nation’s most pressing public health and environmental crises.

The report, published by UK100—a group of local government leaders committed to net-zero and clean air—highlights the impact of measures including Clean Air Zones (CAZ), Low Emission Zones (LEZ), electric vehicle incentives, and active travel infrastructure. These efforts, combined with national policy tailwinds, have led to measurable reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5), the primary drivers of the avoided mortality.

Between 2019 and 2025, the collective actions of 85+ local authorities are credited with preventing 13,722 premature deaths. The figure is derived from modelling that compares actual pollution levels against a scenario where no local clean air policies were implemented. UK100’s analysis draws on data from the government’s Air Quality Grant scheme, local monitoring stations, and health impact assessments. The report specifically praises “highly ambitious” councils that adopted tighter standards than those mandated nationally, such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Greater Manchester.

Why this matters now: Air pollution remains the single largest environmental risk to public health in England, linked to cancer, asthma, heart disease, and dementia. The UK government has set a target for all authorities to meet WHO guidelines on PM2.5 by 2030, but progress varies. The UK100 report provides the first comprehensive evidence that local leadership—not just central regulation—saves lives.

Key details: The study, titled “Clean Air: The Local Difference,” was conducted by the University of Birmingham’s Environmental Health Research Group. It examined air quality data from 142 local authority areas. The 13,722 prevented deaths represent a 13% reduction compared to a 2019 baseline. London, with its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion, accounts for nearly 5,000 of those prevented deaths. Outside London, 22 local authorities have introduced Clean Air Zone charges for polluting vehicles, raising over £200 million in revenue that is reinvested in sustainable transport.

Analysis: The report validates a growing consensus that local governments are the most effective agents for clean air policy. Unlike national schemes, local initiatives can be tailored to specific pollution hotspots, such as school zones and city centres. However, the report also warns of a “postcode lottery”: deprived areas still see higher pollution levels due to proximity to major roads. The next frontier is addressing indoor air quality and agricultural emissions, which are less regulated locally.

Outlook: UK100 is urging the government to grant more powers to local authorities, including the ability to set stricter vehicle emission standards and mandate zero-emission zones from 2028. The Environment Act 2021 already sets a framework for legally binding air quality targets, but enforcement falls to local committees. The report’s authors recommend that every council adopt a Clean Air Plan by 2027, with measurable milestones. With general election campaigning heating up, clean air has become a key wedge issue, and the 13,722 figure is likely to feature heavily in pledges on public health and climate action.