Further Air Quality information

Low Emission Zones

Low Emission Zones (LEZ) to improve air quality were introduced in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2022. A LEZ is a defined area, within which, the only vehicles that are allowed to be driven are those which meet set standards for emissions. The owner of any non-compliant vehicle driven on a road within the LEZ would be issued with a penalty charge notice.

Full details of the Dundee LEZ scheme can be found on the dedicated LEZ pages of this website, including:

• a map of the area included within the LEZ and details of streets within this area,
• details of the types of vehicle to which the LEZ applies to,
• details of the minimum emission standards set in the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021,
• details of vehicles that have been given national exemptions in these Regulations,
• details of default penalty charges applicable for driving a non-compliant vehicle on a road in the LEZ,
• details of the operating hours of the LEZ,
• information on the process undertaken to identify the LEZ scheme for Dundee including links to supporting information,
• details of the objectives of the Dundee LEZ scheme,
• details of support funding being made available by the Scottish Government to help certain households and businesses comply with the introduction of LEZs across Scotland.

The Scottish Government has set up a basic online vehicle checker to help you understand if your vehicle might be allowed entry to a LEZ.

The Scottish Government has also made grants available for certain households, micro-businesses, taxis and bus operators in order to help comply with the introduction of the LEZs. Further information on the various grants available and can be found on the Low Emission Zones Scotland and Energy Saving Trust websites.

Further information on the development of Low Emission Zones in Scotland can be found on the Low Emission Zones Scotland website.

Scottish Air Quality

This Scottish Government website contains a wealth of information on air quality as well as current air quality data from monitoring stations throughout Scotland. Other features of the Scottish Air Quality website include:

• Air Pollution Detectives (Children's Pages) Produced for the Scottish Government, these pages within the Scottish Air Quality website provide key air quality messages and information in a kid friendly format.
• Clear the Air (Educational) This site is specially for 12-15 year olds to find out more about air pollution and if their school is signed up, use our Citizen Science tools to understand air pollution better. This site also contains an 'emissions calculator' to indicate the annual emissions of NOx and PM10 for your daily school trip for a number of different vehicle types.
• Know and Respond 'Know and respond’ is a free service that alerts you when poor air quality is forecast for the day ahead.

UK Government smoke control website

This website is contains information about smoke control areas in the UK including detailed background information and guidance.

DEFRA air quality website

This is the UK-AIR (Air Information Resource) website which provides in-depth information on air quality and air pollution in the UK. A range of information is available, such as the latest pollution levels, pollution forecast information, data archives, and details of the various monitoring networks within the UK.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) works to understand and improve air quality in Scotland. SEPA regulates and monitors certain industrial activities in Scotland that can generate local airborne pollution. Their work also involves working with and directing local authorities and other partners to manage and improve air quality. SEPA also provides policy and operational advice to government, industry and the public on pollution control and other environmental issues.

Scotland’s Environment

This Scottish Government website, Scotland’s Environment Web (SEWeb), contains environmental data, information and reports, from known and trusted sources, all in the one location.

• 'Learning about Air Quality' contains a series of pages on air quality for the different levels of learning through both primary and secondary school years.

Clean Air Day

Clean Air Day is held annually in mid-June and is a chance for the whole country to come together and improve air quality through collective action. Clean Air Day is a moment to demonstrate support for action on air pollution. Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to our health, no matter who you are or where you live. It can harm every organ in your body and can shorten our lives,  and also contribute towards chronic illness.To find out how to protect your health and cut emissions visit the Clean Air Day website. More recently, a night of action - Clean Air Night - has been held to highlight the impacts of wood burning.

Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS)

This website contains up to date information on environmental policy, legislation and news. EPS brings together individuals and organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors to discuss and promote ideas, knowledge and solutions to help achieve an aim of a cleaner, quieter,  healthier and sustainable Scotland.

• Breathe Scotland is the cleaner air initiative led by EPS which aims to raise awareness of air pollution and its impacts on public health in a balanced and factual manner. The initiative brings together key stakeholders to encourage behaviour that helps cut air pollution and our exposure to it.

Environmental Protection UK (EPUK)

Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) has recently joined the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) to create a new unit focusing on the implementation of environmental policy. EPUK will become the new Environment Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) within the IES family.

On this website you will find up-to-date information on current environmental legislation, policy developments and events, briefings and news from EPUK's divisions and policy committees.

European Environment Agency

The European Commission’s website is dedicated to Air Quality in Europe. It contains all the relevant European legislation from which Scottish legislation has been implemented in regards to air quality plus details on research and projects currently in place that are being funded by the European Commission.

London Air

Although this website is for air quality information in and around London, the ‘videos’ section contains numerous short productions on the different aspects of air pollution relevant to all.

ERG Kings College

The Environmental Research Group (ERG), part of the School of Biomedical Science at King’s College London, is a leading provider of air quality information and research in the UK.

The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)

COMEAP is an expert Committee that provides advice to government departments and agencies, via the Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer, on all matters concerning the effects of air pollutants on health.

Air Quality news

The UK’s independent news and information service covering air quality and pollution issues, which is updated daily by the editorial team.

Pollution watch

A regular column in ‘The Guardian’ reporting on pollution hot topics of the previous month.