Report on Glasgow’s Low-Emission Zone and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent report indicates that the full implementation of Glasgow’s Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) in June 2023 has resulted in significant improvements in urban air quality. This initiative directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, sustainable cities, and climate action. The policy’s success demonstrates a viable model for urban environmental management and public health protection.

Key Findings on Air Quality Improvement

The primary outcome of the LEZ has been a marked reduction in harmful air pollutants. This progress is a critical step toward achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), specifically Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by improving air quality.

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels within the LEZ have decreased by 34%.
• Areas immediately surrounding the zone have also experienced a 21% reduction in NO2 pollution.
• The policy mandates that all vehicles entering the city center meet stricter emission standards, with non-compliant vehicles facing a penalty.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The reduction in air pollution directly contributes to SDG 3 by mitigating significant health risks for the urban population. The World Health Organization links exposure to pollutants with severe health conditions, and the LEZ addresses this challenge head-on.

1. Reduced Health Risks: Lower levels of pollutants decrease the incidence of conditions such as stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and pneumonia.
2. Protection of Vulnerable Groups: As noted by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, the policy effectively protects public health, especially for the most vulnerable, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. This aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all at all ages.

Contributions to SDG 11 and SDG 13

Beyond public health, the LEZ initiative is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development and climate action, addressing the targets of both SDG 11 and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The LEZ tackles “stubbornly high levels of harmful air pollution,” making Glasgow’s city center safer and more resilient.
• According to Cllr Angus Millar, the cleaner air helps “create a more pleasant environment for everyone,” enhancing the quality of urban life.
• The initiative serves as a successful case study, similar to New York City’s congestion pricing zone, which has also demonstrated reductions in carbon pollution and traffic congestion.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The policy directly combats climate change by reducing emissions from vehicle tailpipes, such as carbon dioxide, which are major contributors to global warming.
• By promoting the use of less-polluting vehicles, the LEZ integrates climate change measures into city-level policy, a key target of SDG 13.

Advancing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The initiative also makes a notable contribution to SDG 10 by addressing environmental justice. The statement from transport officials highlights that air pollution disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. By improving air quality for all residents in the urban core, the LEZ works to reduce health inequalities linked to environmental factors.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article directly links air pollution to severe health problems such as “stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia,” as stated by the World Health Organization. It also mentions that the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) aims to “protect public health” and “reduce health inequalities,” particularly for vulnerable groups like the young, old, and those with pre-existing conditions.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The core subject of the article is a city-level initiative in Glasgow to improve the urban environment. The implementation of a Low Emission Zone is a direct strategy to make the city more sustainable by tackling “stubbornly high levels of harmful air pollution in our city center” and creating a “more pleasant environment for everyone.”
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article connects the pollutants from vehicle emissions to climate change, stating that pollutants like “carbon dioxide that comes out of vehicle tailpipes, contribute to the overheating of our planet.” The initiative to reduce vehicle emissions is therefore a direct measure to mitigate climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • The article’s focus on reducing “harmful air pollution” and its associated health risks directly aligns with this target. The statement that the LEZ is “working effectively to protect public health in Glasgow” supports its connection to reducing illnesses caused by air pollution.
2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • This target is central to the article. The Glasgow LEZ is an explicit policy designed to improve air quality, a key component of reducing the city’s adverse environmental impact. The report of “drastic improvements in air quality” is a direct outcome related to this target.
3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • While the LEZ is a city-level policy, it represents the integration of climate change mitigation measures into urban planning. By reducing vehicle emissions, which include greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, the city is actively participating in climate action, reflecting the principle of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 11.6 (and indirectly 3.9): Annual mean levels of air pollutants in cities.
   • The article provides a specific, quantifiable indicator of progress: the reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels. It states that “Glasgow has cut nitrogen dioxide pollution by 34% since the zone was fully implemented” and that locations outside the zone saw a “drop by 21%.” This percentage reduction serves as a direct measure of improved air quality.
2. Indicator for Target 13.2 (and indirectly 11.6): Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
   • The article mentions a similar initiative in New York, which has “cut carbon pollution by 2.5%.” This percentage reduction in carbon emissions is a direct indicator used to measure the effectiveness of policies aimed at climate change mitigation.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecooldown.com