Sustainable Solutions: Driving Cleaner Air for Our Cities

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 7 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution, making it the world’s largest environmental health threat. The effects are especially pronounced for children, who may experience stunted lung development and cognitive impacts. WHO data shows that almost everyone on Earth breathes air that exceeds their guidelines, containing harmful levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposure. Cities are at the heart of every global region. However, as the population of a city increases, so does air pollution.

Clean air is a basic requirement for a healthy environment in which we can live and work. This article explores the sustainable technologies that directly address air pollution.

The Need for Sustainable Air Quality Solutions

Poor air quality is a major public health risk. Prolonged exposure to polluted air is strongly linked to asthma, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. In 2020, air pollution was cited on a UK death certificate for the first time, highlighting its devastating potential.

Studies show that poor air quality disproportionately affects individuals from lower socio-economic groups, exacerbating health inequalities. Those living in high-pollution areas are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses and face shorter life expectancies. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable. A recent study in London found that children living near busy roads had a higher risk of developing asthma, and adults with long-term exposure to traffic pollution had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Since air pollution is often caused by burning fossil fuels, it also directly contributes to carbon emissions and climate change. The UK, along with many other nations, has made binding commitments to reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution.

Increased urbanisation has a detrimental impact on air quality. As population density increases, so does emissions output, and consequently, air quality declines. The makeup of a city – its large size, dense road networks, and tall buildings – can exacerbate air pollution by trapping pollutants. In many cities, road transport and domestic/commercial heating systems are the largest contributors to pollution.

Cities like London have implemented frameworks such as Air Quality Neutral and Air Quality Positive to address these challenges. These approaches aim to maximise local air quality benefits around large-scale developments while minimising exposure to existing pollution sources. Planners, designers, architects, and air quality experts must demonstrate what measures have been taken during the design phase to achieve the best possible air quality outcomes.

Sustainable solutions and technologies are necessary not only for regulatory compliance but for advancing global sustainability goals.

Sustainable Solutions for Improving Air Quality

Innovative urban design can be a key driver in tackling air pollution. Transitioning to renewable forms of energy, moving away from traditional fossil fuels, directly helps improve air quality. For example, solar power and wind energy can replace coal and gas-fired power plants, reducing emissions of harmful pollutants like NOx and PM2.5.

Within urban settings, examples of integrating renewable energy are numerous. Green transportation technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cells, and e-bikes/scooters, are reducing emissions of pollutants such as NOx, PM2.5, and CO2 in densely populated areas. In cities like Oslo and Amsterdam, electric buses and fleets of electric taxis have become the norm, drastically reducing air pollution.

Ensuring energy efficiency in buildings also plays a major role in reducing operational emissions and cutting energy costs. Innovations like Passive House standards, which require little energy for heating or cooling, and smart HVAC systems that adjust heating and cooling in real-time, reduce a building’s energy consumption. Energy-efficient lighting (e.g., LED bulbs) further contributes to reducing energy usage in cities.

Urban greening, incorporating green roofs, living walls, and urban forests, also helps mitigate air pollution. Green roofs, for instance, absorb harmful pollutants, while trees and plants in urban forests help filter particulate matter and reduce the urban heat island effect. This not only improves air quality but also enhances biodiversity and promotes mental well-being.

Real-time data and air quality monitoring can also be used to proactively manage pollution hotspots. Cities like London and Paris have implemented air quality sensors that provide live data, allowing officials to issue warnings about poor air quality and take immediate action to address the sources of pollution.

Challenges in Adopting Sustainable Technologies

While the adoption of sustainable technologies offers promising solutions, there are challenges. High upfront costs remain a significant barrier. Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient technologies or switching to renewable energy sources can be expensive, though these technologies often pay for themselves over time through energy savings. For example, buildings with solar panels and insulation may have higher initial costs but see a significant reduction in energy bills, making them more cost-effective in the long term.

There is also a need for education and training to ensure urban planners, developers, and other stakeholders are equipped with knowledge about the available sustainable technologies. Public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in addressing these knowledge gaps by fostering collaboration and sharing expertise.

Adopting green technologies in older infrastructure poses another challenge. Retrofitting existing infrastructure, such as outdated heating systems, to meet modern standards of energy efficiency or to incorporate renewable energy can be complex and costly.

Despite these barriers, the integration of sustainable technologies represents a critical pathway to achieving a cleaner and healthier urban environment.

Despite these barriers, the integration of sustainable technologies represents a critical pathway to achieving a cleaner and healthier urban environment.

The Bigger Picture: Cities Leading the Way

Initiatives like London’s Air Quality Neutral and Air Quality Positive policies encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies. These policies aim to mitigate the air pollution contributions of new developments while aligning with broader city objectives to improve air quality. They encourage the inclusion of features like green roofs, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and renewable energy sources in new developments.

Globally, cities like Copenhagen have made significant strides in reducing air pollution. The city has committed to becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. It has invested heavily in green transportation, including an extensive network of cycling lanes and the deployment of electric buses, which have drastically reduced air pollution levels.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seek to address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation while promoting sustainable development. Sustainable air quality technologies contribute to achieving SDG Goal 3 (Health) and SDG Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities). Air pollution is a major contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, directly impacting global mortality rates. Policies and actions addressing air pollution will have a positive impact on public health (SDG 3). Building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) depends on safe air quality levels, particularly the reduction of particulate matter (PM).

Partnerships between developers, policymakers, and communities are essential. Both the public and private sectors must collaborate to accelerate the adoption of sustainable solutions.

Final Thoughts

Sustainable technologies are not just necessary for compliance; they are integral to achieving global sustainability goals. With innovation and a commitment to cleaner technologies, we can drive the creation of healthier cities worldwide. At Haze Environmental Ltd, we are committed to raising awareness, providing expert guidance, and contributing to a future where clean air is a right, not a privilege.