Co-Benefits between Air Quality and Carbon Reduction Westminster is widely regarded as having the worst air pollution in the UK, mainly due to our location in the heart of London. The two main pollutants of concern are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter, which impact on everyone’s local health and wellbeing, and remain a high priority for the council and its residents. Although NO2 and particulate matter are not considered greenhouse gases (and therefore do not directly contribute to climate change) they tend to be emitted by many of the same processes, such as fuel combustion for transport and gas used for cooking and heating homes and buildings. Westminster’s Air Quality Action Plan (2019-2024) and Climate Emergency Action Plan are closely interlinked and together provide considerable opportunity for eliminating local sources of emissions. Progress in one plan will always mutually benefit actions in the other. These will continue to be reviewed and updated to reflect emerging policies and guidance, including advanced understanding of the public health implications of exposure to poor air quality, the new World Health Organisation pollution targets and post-Covid 19 pandemic recovery efforts. Westminster’s Air Quality Action Plan and Climate Action Plan are closely interlinked " " challenges and opportunities challenges and opportunities 9 | Zero Carbon City 2040 Westminster Climate Emergency Action Plan Contents Contents Glossary Glossary accelerating Delivery accelerating Delivery Foreword and introduction Foreword and introduction commitment and Collaboration commitment and Collaboration