Request ID: FOI-0289-2324 Date published: 25 May 2023
You asked
Mr Khan (London Major) in connection with expanding the London ULEZ is reported last week to have “called on the environmental lobby to come out more strongly in favour of the controversial policy, saying climate change deniers will be “emboldened” if it fails.
Speaking at an event in central London on Monday evening, Mr Khan said: “The causes of climate change and air pollution are the same. If you reduce air pollution, you also reduce carbon emissions.”
Given the extent to which the ULEZ resulted in replacing older vehicles, (I.e. increased the car manufacturing carbon that is responsible for around 9% of Global GHG), I would like to know what technical advice he received to justify his assertion that the ULEZ will help fight Climate Chane.
I assume his not knowing that climate change and air pollution are caused by different emission gases, was his own error rather than coming from technical advice he received, but if that is not the case, please provide details of any briefing you gave him.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0289-2324
Thank you for your request received on 29 April 2023 asking for information about the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Information on the justification for the ULEZ expansion based on the triple challenge and the expected impact that ULEZ will have is included in the ULEZ consultation materials, in particular the proposal document: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/15619/widgets/44946/documents/27070.
The Report to the Mayor and the Mayoral Decision Form also provides information on what the Mayor received in making his decision:
As set out in these documents, whilst air pollution and climate change are caused by different gases, the sources of these gases are often the same. Road transport is one of the largest sources of both air pollution and carbon, accounting for 44% of nitrogen oxides emissions, 31% of fine particulate matter emissions, and 28% of carbon dioxide emissions in London [source: LAEI 2019]. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
