Global study puts London on top of list of cities most exposed to air pollution from aviation
The planes taking off and landing at London’s six airports expose the city to the equivalent of 3.23 million cars’ worth of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions per year, according to research tracking air pollution and emissions from airports across the globe.
Tokyo and Dubai come next on the list as their residents are exposed to 2.78 million cars’ worth of emissions from air traffic every year. The three cities are the most affected on the planet by air pollution from aviation, researchers noted.
‘Policymakers brushing the problem under the carpet’
The global study found the largest 20 airports, collectively, produced as much carbon emissions as 58 coal-fired power stations. The global affairs thinktank ODI and Transport & Environment produced the 2024 Airport Tracker, according to the Guardian.
T&E aviation director Jo Dardenne said “pollution around airports is growing year on year,” adding “it affects millions of people, who breathe in toxic emissions and develop health conditions as a result, yet policymakers are brushing the problem under the carpet.”
“Exponential growth of the sector and airports is incompatible with their climate goals, especially considering the slow uptake of clean technologies,” added Dardenne, highlighting the sector’s devastating climate and health impacts.
Night flight bans or jet fuel improvements
Critics of air travel have stressed the lack of sufficient safeguards around the kinds of pollution caused by airports across the globe. “Aircraft noise levels are continuously exceeded, and we completely lack EU standards on ultrafine particles,” said activist Magdalena Heuwieser.
More measures must be taken immediately to protect the health of communities surrounding airports, such as night flight bans or jet fuel improvements. But apart from technology, the number of flights should also be reduced as it could be more effective.
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