Brian Barton
London and Paris are two of Europe's megacities, both suffering from poor air quality and breaches of the NO2 limit value. While London has seen a faster decrease in PM10 concentrations from traffic, Paris has higher concentrations of NO2 and fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution. London has also seen an increase in motorcycles, contributing to higher PM2.5 concentrations. Both cities have implemented initiatives to reduce air pollution, such as the Low Emission Zone in London and limiting the number of cars on the roads in Paris. Despite these efforts, it will take many years for both cities to achieve the European Limit Value for NO2. With the launch of the Car Free Megacities dashboard, there is a growing focus on reducing private car use and transforming these cities into healthier, more people-friendly spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NO2 levels | Paris has higher levels of NO2 than London. |
| PM2.5 levels | Paris has higher levels of PM2.5 than London. |
| PM10 levels | London has more than double the recommended WHO level of PM10. |
| Percentage of journeys by foot | Paris has a higher percentage of journeys taken by foot (50%) compared to London (25%). |
| Percentage of people living car-free | London has a lower percentage of people living car-free than New York and Paris. |
| Percentage of space occupied by cars | London has a lower percentage of space occupied by cars than New York. |
| Public transport and bicycle journeys | London has a higher daily number of journeys taken by public transport and bicycles than Paris and New York. |
| Air pollution control measures | Paris has implemented restrictions on the number of cars allowed on the roads to reduce smog. London has policies such as the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to address air pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
London has less than half of Paris's air pollution
Paris, on the other hand, has the highest concentrations of NO2 and fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution. This is largely due to the number of diesel vehicles on the roads, which are a major cause of pollution. In 2015, Paris faced a week of dangerous smog, with levels of PM10 at a high of 100 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to London's 48 mg/m3.
Despite these differences, both cities are taking steps to improve their air quality. London has implemented initiatives such as the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and Paris has limited the number of cars allowed on the roads to combat smog. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the issue of air pollution in both cities, with experts warning of the increasing health risks associated with poor air quality.
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London's NO2 levels are lower than Paris's
London and Paris are two of Europe's megacities, and both suffer from poor air quality with breaches of the NO2 limit value. However, London's NO2 levels are lower than Paris's. Annual average NO2 values in London are lower than those recorded in Paris, as well as several other major cities such as Stuttgart, Munich, Rome, and Milan.
London has seen a faster decrease in PM10 concentrations from traffic than Paris, thanks in part to the introduction of Euro V diesel heavy vehicles, which have contributed to a downward trend in NO2 levels. Despite this, London still has work to do to reduce NO2 levels, as most breaches of NO2 laws are due to diesel vehicles, and the city will need 193 years to achieve the European Limit Value at current rates.
Paris, on the other hand, has struggled with smog-inducing air pollution, with levels of PM10 reaching a dangerous high of 100 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Airparif. Paris also has the highest concentrations of NO2 and fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution when compared to London and New York.
London is taking steps to improve air quality, with a focus on reducing traffic and increasing active travel. The city leads in the daily number of journeys taken by public transport and bicycles, and it is looking to become increasingly car-free. Paris has also implemented measures to reduce traffic, such as limiting the number of cars allowed on the roads during periods of high pollution.
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London has more journeys by public transport and bicycles
London and Paris are two of Europe's megacities, both suffering from poor air quality and high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). While diesel vehicles are a significant contributor to pollution in both cities, London has seen an increase in motorcycles, which has impacted its NO2 levels.
London has been taking steps to improve its air quality and reduce pollution. One notable shift is the increase in journeys by public transport and bicycles. According to Transport for London (TfL), cycling journeys in London have increased by 26% compared to 2019 levels, with an estimated 1.33 million daily cycle journeys in 2024. This shift towards cycling has been facilitated by investments in infrastructure, with London aiming to increase cycling levels by 400% by 2025.
This trend is also supported by the rise of London as a "cycling city." More people are opting to cycle for shorter journeys instead of using cars, particularly in areas with poor public transport coverage. Cycling has made door-to-door transport more accessible and efficient, reducing the need for car ownership. Additionally, with more people cycling, there are fewer cars on the road, which can lead to faster bus journeys.
London's embrace of cycling as a mainstream mode of transport has environmental and health benefits. It contributes to the city's goal of becoming cleaner and greener and encourages active travel, improving the physical and mental health of its residents.
While London has made strides in promoting public transport and bicycles, it is important to acknowledge that there is still room for improvement, especially in outer boroughs, and efforts should continue to make cycling accessible and safe throughout the city.
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Paris has a higher percentage of journeys taken by foot
Paris and London are two of Europe's megacities, and both suffer from poor air quality. While Paris has higher concentrations of NO2 and fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution, London has higher levels of PM10. Both cities have seen a decrease in NO2 and PM concentrations from traffic from 2010 to 2016, with London observing a faster decrease in PM10 concentrations.
Despite these issues, Paris has a higher percentage of journeys taken by foot, with 50% compared to London's 25%. This may be due to a variety of factors, including the layout of the cities, the availability of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and the cultural preferences of the residents. Paris, for example, has been working to become increasingly car-free, with Mayor Anne Hidalgo making this a major element of her re-election campaign in 2020. The city has also held multiple car-free days, with the most recent one being held in September 2020. These initiatives aim to create more urban space for people to walk and reduce air pollution.
In contrast, London has a higher number of daily journeys taken by public transport and bicycles, with 9.7 million and 0.7 million, respectively. However, the high number of diesel vehicles on the roads contributes to the city's poor air quality, particularly in terms of NO2 concentrations. London has also seen an increase in motorcycles, which has impacted PM2.5 roadside increments.
The differences in the percentage of journeys taken by foot in Paris and London highlight the unique challenges and strategies that each city is employing to become more "people-friendly." Paris's higher percentage of journeys taken by foot may contribute to a healthier and more active population, as well as help reduce air pollution and create more urban space for people and nature.
However, it is important to note that both cities continue to struggle with air pollution and are working to address these issues through various initiatives and policies.
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London has more motorcycles, contributing to PM2.5 pollution
London and Paris are two of Europe's megacities, both experiencing poor air quality with breaches of the NO2 limit value. While there are many sources of air pollution in London, this discussion will focus on the impact of motorcycles on PM2.5 concentrations.
London has seen an increase in motorcycles since 2010, which has contributed to higher roadside PM2.5 concentrations. Motorcycles, despite making up a small fraction of transportation, are a significant contributor to air pollution. This is due to their poorer pollution control standards and the lack of emission control devices, such as catalytic converters. The Euro 3 standards introduced in 2006 prompted the adoption of emissions control technologies, and the Euro 5 standards, introduced in 2020, aim to further reduce pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines. However, advancements in motorcycle emission control technology have been minimal, and most modern-day motorbikes still release harmful pollutants.
The impact of motorcycles on PM2.5 concentrations is particularly notable in London. While road transport is estimated to contribute 42% of NO2 levels in the UK, it only accounts for 12% of local PM2.5 levels. This means that other sources, such as motorcycles, also play a significant role in PM2.5 pollution. The increase in motorcycles in London has been identified as a specific contributor to the lack of a significant downward trend in PM2.5 roadside increments from 2010 to 2016.
London's air pollution problem has severe health and economic consequences. A study by King's College London estimated that PM2.5 pollution contributes to 3,500 premature deaths annually in the city, with a total health burden of 9,400 premature deaths per year when including NO2-related deaths. The economic cost of these premature deaths is estimated to be up to £3.7 billion.
To address the issue of motorcycle emissions and improve air quality, London introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, which was expanded in 2021 and again in August 2023. This scheme has helped reduce emissions of PM2.5 particulates within the ULEZ by an estimated 19%, or 80 tonnes. Additionally, London has a scrappage scheme to support the replacement of polluting vehicles, and all proceeds from ULEZ charges are invested in the city's public transport infrastructure. These initiatives aim to reduce air pollution and encourage a transition to cleaner and safer transportation systems.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of pollution. While Paris has higher concentrations of NO2 and fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution, London has more than double the recommended WHO level of PM10.
London and Paris have both implemented local policies to reduce pollution. For example, Paris has limited the number of cars allowed on the roads, while London has introduced the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Paris is ahead of London in terms of the percentage of journeys taken by foot, with 50% of journeys in Paris made by foot compared to 25% in London. However, London leads in the daily number of journeys taken by public transport and bicycles.
