What is the effect of low emission zones?

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have been a hot topic in many parts of the country recently. With cities such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen announcing these measures.

As such it is causing some quite polarised viewpoints. Especially when it comes to the subject of the impact these zones have on air quality vs business operations.

Back in September 2023, we started up a conversation on our Facebook page on this very topic. Keen to find out what our audience's views were.

What was revealed in the comment section has a big spectrum of sentiments. Ranging from scepticism and frustration to adaptive strategies and acceptance.

The Environmental Perspective

While LEZs have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing harmful emissions, not everyone is convinced about their intentions or efficacy.

A report by the Clean Cities Campaign in 2023 highlighted the effectiveness of LEZs in reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations.

According to the report, levels of NO2 were down by around 20% in key areas.

This reduction was greater in areas like central London. Levels of NO2 were down as much as 44% - following the expansion of the ULEZ in 2019.

The London Ultra LEZ significantly improved air quality by reducing NO2 by 32 µg/m³. Whilst also reducing traffic by 9%, and cutting emissions by 13%.

However, despite the positive outcomes being reported, it can’t be ignored that there is a lot of negative views. In our Facebook discussion, one person remarked:

"They have crossed the line and used the stick rather than the carrot, which always results in the stick being used to fight back!"

The Business Perspective

LEZs are said to be instrumental in enhancing the air quality in congested cities. But they present a difficult scenario for some businesses. Especially small enterprises who are already struggling.

The introduction of LEZs requires businesses to ensure their vehicles meet emissions standards. This can be costly.

In Dundee non-compliant vehicles face fines starting at £60, escalating to significant amounts for repeated offenses.

Businesses must verify the compliance of their vehicles, a task made simpler by services like the online vehicle registration checker set up by Transport Scotland.

Some of the public are calling LEZs just "another tax," whereas others are adapting their behaviours in response to the new regulations.

One respondent in our Facebook post commented,

"…it has changed how I shop and use services... my way of thinking is if nobody does then it will go into massive decline and eventually nobody will live there to be unfairly taxed."

Others lamented the seeming loss of the High Street shopping, remarking:

"The last two decades have seen the rise of the internet and collapse of real-world shopping."

Balance Between Environmen and Economy

The introduction of LEZs has presented a complex scenario - with strong views on both sides for and against the schemes.

As government bodies try to balance environmental aspirations with the operational costs for businesses.

Balancing environmental goals with economic sustainability requires a collaborative approach.

Sources for further reading:

• Quantifying the impact of low- and zero-emission zones - Clean Cities Campaign
• Impact of Low Emission Zones (urbanaccessregulations.eu)
• Dundee Low Emission Zones: a guide for small businesses | FSB, The Federation of Small Businesses

Community Insights in this post were taken from a September 2023 Blackcircles.com Facebook Discussion