Air Quality News Procurement Guide - 2nd Edition

AIR QUALITY PROCUREMENT GUIDE

Welcome to the Procurement Guide

Contacts

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Editor: Martin Guttridge-Hewitt

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AirQualityNews Procurement Guidepublished by Spacehouse Ltd, Pierce House, Pierce Street, Macclesfield.

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Tel: 01625 614 000

Welcome to the second edition of the Air QualityNews Procurement Guide, here to highlight tangible solutions and effective tools to help local authorities across the country mitigate one of the greatest health and environmental crises of our time: air pollution.

The timing couldn’t be more apt. Paraphrasing common parlance, what a difference a new administration makes, with environmentalists and economists aligned in their deep concerns as to what the future now looks like with recently unveiled government policies. Two of our features address this headon.

The first sees former Air Quality News editor Jamie Hailstone share insight into what a recession means for local authority budgets, and the effect on air quality funding and investment. Given terrifying predictions of soaring inflation colliding with rocketing interest rates, this is particularly relevant. Then Stephen Cirell considers what the wholesale change on Downing Street means for the green agenda overall.

Meanwhile, our reporter Georgie Hughes looks at how the UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure rollout is stalling. In the process, identifying huge regional discrepancies in access to vital charge points that must be addressed for local authorities to meet carbon targets and improve air quality for residents, the investigation raises real questions over the effectiveness of Westminster’s levelling up efforts.

Elsewhere in our Procurement Guide, you’ll find an exclusive interview with Olympic gold medallist and Active Travel Commissioner for England, Chris Boardman MBE, who explains how a freshly funded central body for cycling and walking provision will assist regional governments in transforming transport networks for the cleaner and greener.

This is before we mention in-depth articles showcasing the technological developments, products, and services available to empower policy and decision-makers, facilitating effective and efficient steps to map, monitor, and tackle air quality issues. Arriving at a critical moment, after a summer defined by worrying signs of climate change and on the cusp of a winter riddled with energy crises, while the coming months look bleak, they also bring about huge opportunities to transform our power networks with big implications for the air you breath. As such, we hope you find these pages both useful and thought-provoking.

All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Martin Guttridge-Hewitt

Tel: 01625 614000

ej@spacehouse.co.uk

Printed on FSC certified paper stock, using vegetable oil inks. Fulfilment and distribution using 100% recycled envelopes.

Features

Pages 10-12:

Why the UK’s EV charger rollout is stalling.

Pages 18-20:

Will the cost of living crisis mean there is no money left for the environment?.

Contents

Page 6-7:

Know your air quality everywhere

Page 8-9:

The Zephyr®: Helping Local Authorities with Challenges in Air Quality Monitoring.

Page 10-12:

Why the UK’s EV charger rollout is stalling

Page 14-15: Ten things AQMesh did first

Page 16-17:

Roadvent, Scientifically proven to reduce human exposure to vehicle emissions by 91%

Page 18-20:

Will the cost of living crisis mean there is no money left for the environment?

Page 22-23:

Delivering solutions for cleaner air

Page 24-25:

A change in climate: How Local Authorities can move towards healthier, greener transport

Page 26-27:

Pages 24-25:

A change in climate: How Local Authorities can move towards healthier, greener transport.

Growing Cities to Monitor Air Quality for Urban Planning.

Page 28-29: Healthy air level objectives

Page 30-31:

The shape of future government policy under a new prime minister

Page 32-33: A breath of fresh air.

Page 34-35:

Cambustion identify the reasons behind air pollution “hot spots”

Page 36-37: How to roll out a successful Clean Air Zone scheme communication strategy in 2022 and beyond

Pages 30-31:

The shape of future government policy under a new prime minister.

Page 38-39: Alphasense & the growth of air quality monitoring

Page 40-41: Tailor-made air pollution monitoring

Page 42: Marketplace

Pages 36-37:

How to roll out a successful Clean Air Zone scheme communication strategy in 2022 and beyond.

Thanks to our contributors: Stephen Cirell, Jamie Hailstone, and Adrian Odds

Case Study Hammersmith & Fulham

Hammersmith & Fulham’s Award Winning Traffic Congestion and Pollution Reduction Scheme

Partnering with air quality experts Vortex gave the council a detailed view of air pollution which led to targeted environmental action.

Result: Improved air quality by 50% and reduced carbon emissions by 1 tonne a day.

Client. Hammersmith & Fulham

Located in the southwest of London, with over 185,000 residents and several major corporations headquartered in the borough, The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) is committed to improving air quality for residents through positive sustainability changes, making effective decisions in the right locations and measuring success with accurate data collected from hyper-local, low cost, air quality sensors with street-level accuracy.

LBHF became the first borough to declare a climate emergency in July 2020, pledging to resolve an air pollution and traffic congestion problem and addressing the 80% of congestion attributed to vehicles originating outside the Borough.

Solution.

Vortex provided a low-cost air quality monitoring solution that enabled the deployment of a dense network of hyper-local air quality sensors to provide real time air quality data to the council. The sensors are all SIM card free and connected wirelessly through a mesh network that’s driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning configurations. Implementing this technology allows the system to identify and execute calibrations and updates remotely, reducing LBHF’s on-site resource costs.

Vortex’s off the shelf solution provided:

Air Quality Monitoring within the council’s budget requirements

Street-Level data accuracy of Air Pollution

Unprecedented Coverage – World’s densest deployment

Detailed analysis of their entire constituency

Public access to data on their neighbourhood

Lifetime warranty

“

Challenge. How to know where to act?

Problems caused by high traffic volumes became the largest contributors of air pollution in the borough, compounded by regular use of streets as a thoroughfare for vehicles originating outside the borough. The council wanted a method to measure the results and prove the effectiveness of the restriction zones to residents. Traditional air quality solutions available to Hammersmith & Fulham would not be sufficient in measuring air quality variations at the required frequency and density. LBHF needed spatial and temporal information with sufficient granularity to measure air quality changes at a per-road level, to review traffic interventions and prove their success in reducing pollution with an easy to deploy, affordable and detailed analysis of air quality per street.

Outcomes: Accurate Data for better informed decisions.

VTX Air has identified high pollution transmission points that were previously unknown. As a result, LBHF’s award winning Traffic Congestion and Pollution Reduction Scheme has reduced carbon emissions by 1 tonne a day and improved air quality by 50% for residents. Using the technology, the public have been able to see their air quality through a publicly available portal to better understand the impact that the Scheme is having on their health. The key benefit for LBHF was identifying where the pollution is originating and understanding the sources of pollution that are generated inside the borough.

installation will further its dense concentration and become the largest scale air quality monitoring network in Europe with a total of 500 sensors deployed before the end of the year.

We needed a system that allowed us to recognise subtle changes in local pollution relating to traffic behaviour. When searching, we found traditional monitors to be far too expensive to install in the density required to see the changes.”

John Galsworthy

Director, Parking, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

The Zephyr®: Helping Local Authorities with Challenges in Air Quality Monitoring

of locations with its solar panel, hardwired and battery capabilities. Local authorities don’t need to worry about interrupted projects due to installation or hardware challenges, as EarthSense offers a fully managed service, where its fieldwork engineers take care of installations, maintenance, and optimisation of monitoring networks for continuous measurements.

The air quality monitoring market is largely unregulated, making the use of certified monitors necessary. Crucial for dust compliance in construction, the Zephyr® is pending MCERTS – a DEFRA stamp of approval for indicative PM2.5 monitoring. This certification ensures delivery of high quality, certified data which can be used for evidencing the impact of fine particles on local receptors, solving complaints, and comparing current concentrations with baseline measurements.

Air pollution is slowly reducing year on year; however transport, industry and energy sectors remain high emitters. Pollution monitoring solutions come with their own challenges and local authorities need flexible services that ensure they successfully deliver the insights required to clean up the air.

A typically underfunded element in improving public health, it’s not always possible for local authorities to receive yearly budgets for a comprehensive air quality monitoring service. With a number of tailorable offerings, EarthSense’s Zephyr® monitor provides local authorities with annual or multi-year monitoring plans and the opportunity to run monitoring networks for their required amount of time. Rental services are available for a minimum of one month and can be employed for short term projects, such as baseline monitoring studies.

Ambient air pollution constantly changes as it moves across streets and between buildings, leaving local authorities challenged in learning about the variability and behaviour of pollution. Ideally, implementing monitoring networks that provide hyperlocal, real-time, and historic measurements should be used for building a precise picture of air quality.

The Zephyr® comes with a range of cartridge options for measuring various air pollutants simultaneously through one device as opposed to hundreds of diffusion tubes, and can be used as a static and mobile system, enabling transport planners and construction managers to re-deploy units and monitor whilst on-the-go.

Councils may face power availability challenges whilst establishing monitoring networks across large areas. The Zephyr® offers monitoring in the most remote

Whether it’s working with schools or minimising the impact of vehicle emissions, departments have different requirements regarding data access and what they need to know. Local authorities need flexible data hosting and access. Zephyr® data can be viewed through EarthSense’s MyAir® web application, or integrated via API into third party systems, like mobile apps and traffic management systems.

Safer air quality requires input from entire communities, so how can local authorities encourage behavioural change? This is where public data comes to the forefront – it provides people with the information they need to manage their exposure and inform their daily choices. EarthSense offers public portals, enabling local authorise to engage with the public, raise awareness and encourage active travel decisions.

EarthSense has flexible monitoring solutions that can address any challenge. Find them at: www.earthsense.co.uk

Award-winning Zephyr® Air Quality Monitor

Trusted by over 70 UK Local Authorities, the Zephyr® is a small-form, indicative air quality monitor measuring gas and particulates in real-time.

Our comprehensive subscription-based monitoring service includes replacement cartridges, calibration, on-going sensor monitoring, data access and complete in-field maintenance for hassle-free monitoring.

Learn more & download specification sheet

Why the UK’s EV charger rollout is stalling

Reporter Georgie Hughes explores why the UK is falling behind EV charger targets and what can be done to accelerate the rollout before 2030.

We know drastic change is needed to lower carbon emissions and improve our air quality, thus electric vehicles (EVs) are leading the charge, taking gas-guzzling cars off the streets. But before EVs can make a real difference, more consumers need to make the switch from petrol and diesel cars. With the UK struggling to build the right infrastructure to facilitate this, this transition is currently stalling.

The government plans to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, leaving them with just eight more years to get infrastructure in place to support this goal. Of course, electric cars need charging points, but with the average installation costing £1,000, not everyone can afford this. Many households also don’t have access to off-road parking, further complicating things.

With aims of installing 300,000 public charge points by 2030, the government has committed to helping local authorities install these through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. But to date they have delivered just over 30,000 – 10% of the end goal. At the current rate that means just over 240,000 charging points will be in place by

2030, 60,000 short of the target.

Nottinghamshire has 23 publicly accessible EV charging points which have been delivered through a partnership between Nottinghamshire and Derby councils. When asked how Nottinghamshire County Council had managed the drive to install EV infrastructure, Conservative Neil Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, was not certain. After calling an officer who was responsible for the council’s EV charger rollout, he reassured: ‘I've got good news for you. That is the officer, it all went well, so they didn't have any issues.’

However, Clarke’s claims don’t match up with reports from other local authorities, who say they have struggled to implement EV infrastructure with a limited budget and little government guidance. A report released by Liberty Charge, a company helping councils to deliver EV charging points, found that just 14% of UK councils have the necessary resources and funding required to install the infrastructure. The survey revealed that many councils could dedicate just 15 hours per week to EV projects, with 75% of council workers interviewed blaming this on small budgets. 59%

also said a lack of government guidance on where devices should be installed was slowing the rollout.

Jason Torrance, Assistant Chief Executive at UK100, a network of local government leaders working towards net-zero, said this report reflects the conversations he’s been having with councillors. ‘I think probably across the board, there's a lack of UK Government funding for local authorities,’ he said. ‘If we're going to meet our net zero targets and tackle the cost-of-living crisis, we need to devolve funding, so that local authorities are not relying on what sometimes is year by year competition with other authorities to try and secure some money. This disables a local authority from having a long-term strategy because there's no certainty of funding.

‘There needs to be more support for local and combined authorities to come up with some investable propositions and pull in some additional money. Quite rightly there are high demands and a lot of legwork to be done to give assurance that there will be a return. Organisations are not going to give money away for free. That's a skill that a lot of local authorities don't have and it's a real gap.’

Recently, the government announced several local authorities had won funding for electric vehicle charging points as part of its Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme. Winners included Barnet, Dorset, Durham, Kent,

Midlands Connect, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Warrington. It’s hoped the £450m scheme will boost delivery by providing 1,000 new public charging points across the areas, with £10m set to be shared amongst the winners. Each will also receive £9m in private funding and £1.9m from public funds.

Nottinghamshire County Council already has ideas on how their funding could be spent, Mr Clarke tells me, with plans to install on-street charge devices. This is to encourage the uptake of EVs amongst people without off-street parking, such as those living in terraced houses or housing without driveways. ‘We will offer the service to chop out a channel in the pavement to facilitate them then laying a cable through this channel, so we're not offering to install the actual electrical apparatus itself,’ he explained. ‘This is just the cutting of a channel to allow them to then lay their cable across the pavement without it becoming a trip hazard. People will need to organise the relevant charging machinery attached to the outside of their house or whatever arrangement they use.

Details are yet to be finalised on the scheme, but Clarke said the council could charge 25% of the cost to allow the cables to be laid down. He believes this could benefit at least a few thousand people living within the county and will encourage people to investigate acquiring an EV. It’s hoped these plans will also improve access to EV chargers in rural areas of Nottinghamshire.

With most EV chargers concentrated in and around the city of Nottingham, this move is welcome to improve the county’s access to vital infrastructure. But Nottinghamshire isn’t the only area lacking in publicly accessible charging points. This is, in fact, a trend across the country.

While the government has touted its Levelling Up agenda, the country is still yet to see any real benefits from the policy. A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research showed the North-South divide has only deepened.

It revealed that while public spending has increased in every region, the North was still receiving the least overall.

On average, total public spending in the North in 2021 was £16,223 per person, lower than the England wide average of £16,309. Average public spending in London in 2021 came to £19,231 per person.

It's a similar story when it comes to EV charging points, as there is a vast disparity in publicly accessible devices in London compared to other regions. The latest government figures from July, based on data from app and digital platform Zap-Map, show that there are 116 public charging devices per 100,000 people in London. The next biggest figure is almost half this, with 55 devices available per 100,000 people in Scotland. This accounts for the whole country and it’s worth bearing in mind the population of Scotland is at least three million less than London. The areas with the least access to EV charging points is the North West with just 27 per 100,000 people, followed by Northern Ireland with 17.

‘There is a big difference in density of public charging points and you see a big difference in terms of spending, particularly on transport,’ said Mr Torrance. ‘I think that that gap needs to be closed. Many of these places outside of London are not as dense but require more investment. I think there should be a priority focus on levelling up the charging infrastructure, particularly in the north and Midlands and places furthest away from London.’

Both Torrance and Clarke believe granting local authorities extra powers could help to improve this and advance the uptake of EV’s. Mr Clarke said he thought the £1.14bn East Midlands devolution deal, made between

the government, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, could change how transport matters are resolved. He said: ‘The new devolution deal was signed and so transport is very much high on the agenda. So, I can assume or hopefully prophesy that there'd be quite a bit of additional attention paid to electric vehicle charging as a result of that. There will be additional funding available for transport that will include not just public transport, but EV infrastructure. Maybe we're playing catch up a little bit, but I would hope that the devolution deal will help address that.’

However, while electrification of cars is a priority, we risk missing an opportunity to rethink transport as a whole and advancing walking, cycling, and wheeling. Roads not only take up space which could be used for rewilding and promoting biodiversity, they are also often clogged up with congestion and witnesses to fatal accidents.

‘We don't want to replace all of our existing vehicles on the road with just EVs because essentially we need fewer cars,’ said Jason Torrance. ‘Tailpipe emissions aside, congestion and safety concerns over vehicles whether electric or petrol diesel, are real problems.

‘Bearing in mind that the majority of all our journeys are under five miles, we should be firstly and foremostly prioritising walking and cycling. The levels of walking and cycling are well behind UK Government ambitions. All that money that, I would say, has mistakenly gone into subsidising petrol and diesel vehicles and into the strategic road network, could have gone to a much better end in supporting walking and cycling networks.’

This doesn’t mean we should scrap the electrification of vehicles altogether though, in fact its vital more are installed across the UK before 2030. If not, there is a risk the UK target to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030 might be pushed back, which is something we cannot afford when our health and the health of the planet is at stake.

Indoor Air Quality Management: Effective Monitoring of Air Pollution in Schools, Homes, Offices

By Craig Lewis

Decades ago, air pollution was almost exclusively synonymous with vehicle exhaust fumes and manufacturing sites. In recent years, however, air quality issues have encroached upon our indoor environment as well.

Also referred to as the 'sick building syndrome' usually due to poor ventilation, toxic pollutants, dust, or even airborne fabric fibres, this phenomenon can be present not only in homes but schools, offices, and other enclosed public spaces.

It is increasingly apparent that exposure to indoor air pollutants likely has an even greater significance on human health, for several reasons. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a 2013 study, found that most of us spend more time indoors than outdoors. This was exacerbated during the Covid 19 pandemic with the implementation of lockdowns worldwide.

Buildings have also become more airtight to optimise energy efficiency, thereby increasing concentrations of pollutants, such as formaldehyde, and reducing air exchange from uncontrolled ingress of outdoor air.

Furthermore, we may also be exposed to a wider range of air pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within the indoor environment. A 2010 WHO study showed that concentrations of many pollutants are higher inside than outside. It doesn’t help that, in a Public Health England (PHE) March 2019 report, air pollution is now considered “the largest environmental risk to public health” with between 28,000 to 36,000 attributable deaths yearly.

PHE also noted that, in 2014 during a recorded poor air quality level, the proportion of daily calls to NHS hotline showed a significant increase in the reporting of symptoms as asthma, wheezing, breathlessness, and others.

A recent study by Think Air, an air quality consulting firm based in South Wales, showed that air pollutants are "generally 2-5 times higher indoors".

Even opening a school or office window to avoid a stuffy work or study space is also letting in air pollutants, further exposing occupants to "high levels of outdoor pollutants", such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

One of the best ways to combat the hazards of indoor air pollution is to have a holistic and integrated approach to air quality management. It needs to closely look at pollutants that have significant adverse impacts on public health, such as particulate matters (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), which are showing evidence of penetrating and lodging inside the lungs, as well as VOCs and CO2.

A shopping mall in France, for example, received a comprehensive end-to-end approach towards the improvement of its air quality through the SUEZ AirAdvanced® portfolio. Likewise, enclosed places such as Charles de Gaulle airport and the Alexandre Dumas metro station in Paris, France, have benefitted from such innovative, smart solutions.

The Air and Climate Division of SUEZ, a world leader in smart and sustainable resource management, has monitored and treated millions of cubic metres of air daily worldwide.

Committed to managing air pollution levels to as low as reasonably practicable, the AirAdvanced® suite is also helping to protect the health and well-being of residential apartment buildings in the UK.

The suite’s offerings of consultancy services and innovative solutions offers a four-point approach: diagnosis,

remediation and mitigation, real-time monitoring, and big-data analysis and optimisation strategies.

The process typically involves the identification of poorly ventilated areas where pollutants accumulate and exceed recommended guidelines from public health bodies. Such areas are subjected to baseline air quality assessment, for example, within communal areas.

A 3D dispersion modelling simulation, referred to as a DIAG'Air Airflow Modelling Study, along with SUEZ ARIA Local™ software, a CFDbased (Computational Fluid Dynamics), is then created.

The model configuration can identify, account for and evaluate the impact of known pollutant emitting sources/areas and obstacles or building geometry that may disturb the airflow. It also determines the walls, openings and extraction systems influencing confinement, or air exchange, with the external environment. Lastly, the model shows thermal gradients and associated energy-efficiency and comfort-related impacts. In such cases, indoor spaces can benefit from the integration of standalone air purification systems such as the MedicAir Pro, a technology that is currently used and endorsed in many health practitioner sectors.

The fact is, the technology is now available for good air quality management. It is just a matter of understanding the hazards poor air quality poses to the population, and setting out the best approach to managing it.

Craig Lewis Air Quality & Climate Business Development Manager

Ten things AQMesh did first

2022 marked 10 years of innovation and leadership from AQMesh. To highlight the team’s experience, ongoing forwardthinking and its commitment to pushing the capabilities of small sensor systems, here is a summary of the top 10 things AQMesh developed first and refined since it commercially launched in 2012.

years of extensive global co-location comparison trials against certified reference equipment, in all seasons, meaning AQMesh can accurately operate in the widest possible range of environments and conditions.

6 ‘Gold pod’ approach

The ‘gold pod’ approach, as originally described by the AQMesh team, involves one unit being co-located with and scaled against a maintained reference station and then moved around a network of nodes to calibrate each of the other units.

7 White reflective sunshield & insulation for temperature management

1 IoT connectivity using the mobile phone network: remote data for small sensor air quality monitoring

AQMesh was the first small sensor manufacturer to adopt an IoT approach, using the mobile phone network to connect with the cloud, allowing remote access of data from individual measurement points.

2 Integration of gas and PM monitoring in a single small sensor instrument

Since 2013, AQMesh pods have been able to monitor gases and particles in one instrument. The compact pods have continued to lead in terms of the wide range of measurements offered on a single unit: up to six gases out of NO, NO2, O3, CO, SO2, H2S, TVOC and CO2 as well as PM monitoring and options for noise and wind speed/ direction. Pressure, relative humidity and pod temperature are all measured as standard.

3 Mini optical particle counter, counting and sorting particles by size, for accuracy across all PM fractions

AQMesh’s in-house designed optical particle counter measures particulates PM1, PM2.5, PM10, TPC and TSP (up to 30 microns). Its bespoke design uses a straight line between the sample inlet and bench, meaning larger particles

do not settle in a bent sample path, allowing for complete capture of pollutants.

The sunshield was first added to AQMesh pods in 2013 to minimise the impact of direct sunlight on pod sensors. Various solutions were tested - for active or passive cooling - and AQMesh’s reflective shield, insulation and air flow gap was found to be most effective at minimising the challenge to temperature stability from strong, direct sunshine.

8 Promote rigorous QA/QC and offer feasible methods to achieve it

4 Pioneers of city-wide small sensor networks from CitiSense to the Breathe London Pilot

Initiated in 2012, AQMesh was part of the EU-funded consortium which set up a ground-breaking project to advise citizens about air quality, across eight cities, using hundreds of measurement devices. The Breathe London pilot, which ran from 2018 to 2020, and in which 100 AQMesh pods were used, was the world’s first hyperlocal monitoring network.

5 Real-time out-of-the-box accuracy with correction for environmental conditions & cross-gas effects without the need for machine learning AQMesh’s high accuracy and performance has been achieved through

Since 2015, the AQMesh onsite reference station means each sensor has been tested through a rigorous quality control process before it leaves the UK factory.

9 CO2 emissions profiling

AQMesh can offer incredibly high out-of-the-box accuracy (typically less than 15% uncertainty) for CO2 monitoring. Using this reliable data, AQMesh can be used for CO2 source apportionment.

10 Long distance scaling

The Breathe London pilot showed how pods could be traceably scaled across a city, using a novel approach pioneered by partners at the University of Cambridge.

For the full version of this article & more information about AQMesh please contact us today or visit: www.aqmesh.com

Roadvent

Scientifically proven to reduce human exposure to vehicle emissions by 91%

• Reduce roadside pollution levels & meet air quality targets

• Immediate, substantial air quality improvements

• Suitable for installation at all pollution hot spots

Roadvent pollution intake slots sit discreetly within the top le vel of the road surface, creating a vacuum that captures dirty air once vehicles are present on the road. This dirty air is then cleaned instantaneously in the roadside cabinet and released as clean air.

The system is specifically suited to tackle air pollution issues at locations where people are most exposed to high concentra tions of road emissions, such as school and hospital drop-off points, traffic lights, bus stops, road and rail crossings, juncti ons and drive-thru restaurants to name a few.

The intakes are pedestrian, cycle, motorcycle and car friendly and are available in a variety of colours and safety finishes. Filtration media can also be tailored to clients specific target gas and pollutant goals.

Scan the QR code below to learn more about Roadvent:

Will the costof-living crisis mean there is no money left for the environment?

By Jamie Hailstone

You don’t need a first-class degree in politics, philosophy, and economics to know that the biggest issue this winter is going to be the cost-ofliving crisis.

It is set to dominate every news bulletin, political decision, and conversation down the pub well into 2023, and possibly beyond.

Local government is used to operating in tight financial circumstances, but inflationary pressures not seen for a decade, along with a new administration in Westminster, could lead to some difficult decisions about how councils will spend their money from now on.

Research by the County Councils Network (CCN) in June found the estimated costs of inflation in 2022/23 for 40 of England’s largest councils has risen by 92% in the three months since they set their budgets in March.

At the time, CCN estimated costs from inflation have risen from £789m in March to £1.5bn as of June, leaving county councils with a £729m funding gap.

In the same month, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned rising energy prices, spiralling inflation, and wage pressures would add £2.4bn in extra costs in this financial year alone, rising to £3.6bn in 2024/25.

Both sets of figures were based on inflation rates at the time. It almost goes without saying that the situation has not improved since then. In August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded a 40-year high of 10.1% for July, and the Bank of England has recently forecast a potential peak of 13.3% this winter.

There has been some speculation that the government’s recent energy price guarantee, which will mean a typical UK household will pay no more than £2,500 for the next two years, may mean further inflation rate rises will not be as high as some had feared, but it is too early to tell whether that is the case.

A recent survey by the SIGOMA group of local authorities found they are facing a £570m shortfall because inflation is more than 4% on top of what was budgeted for.

‘Our survey of members has revealed the huge pressure that inflation, particularly on utilities and pay, is putting on council budgets already strained by a decade of austerity,’ says SIGOMA’s head of research and policy, Geoff Winterbottom.

There will be hard choices ahead. Local authorities are

legally obliged to provide some services, like social care and waste collection. But other services - particularly around net zero and air quality - are not mandatory, so there is always the danger they could be cut back as councils struggle to balance their books.

‘There's no way of dressing this up. The economic

outlook is dire for councils,’ says UK100’s membership director and former leader of Southampton City Council, Christopher Hammond.’

And he admits while local authorities in the UK100 network remain committed to net zero, achieving it ‘will be tougher now’.

‘That's for two main reasons,’ explains Mr Hammond. ‘One, local and regional leaders will be at the vanguard in supporting an increasing number of residents struggling to keep their heads above water as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. This is on top of social care pressures which are already pushing councils to the tipping point.

‘Two, their own borrowing costs will undoubtedly increase, meaning that multi-year business cases already devised will need to be re-written and re-analysed. The increased costs will delay and choke innovation,’ he adds.

‘But, after a summer of deadly heatwaves and droughts, councils know they can't afford to ignore the fact that climate change is already here. There have been too many 'wake-up calls' which we've slept through,’ adds Mr Hammond.

‘Action on net zero will not only help tackle the climate crisis but also boost local economies and deliver high-quality jobs. And the transition can still happen in a way that is fast

and fair even during a recession.’

And then there is the small matter of a new Prime Minister and regime at Number 10. At the time of going to press, there have been a number of new announcements, including the chancellor’s ‘mini-budget’. But the jury still appears to be out on which direction Liz Truss and her new cabinet will choose in some areas, particularly the environment. The new Prime Minister’s assertion that ‘we need to build roads’ in her inaugural speech will not have gone down well with the environmental lobby. Neither will the news of a new oil and gas licensing round and her decision to lift the moratorium on UK shale gas production.

The new £2,500 energy price guarantee for homeowners and an additional support package for small businesses will help deal with the short-term pressures, but questions remain about its long-term impact, particularly on public finances.

‘What this funding has done is bought us time, which needs to be used wisely,’ said Cornwall Insight chief executive, Gareth Miller.

‘It is only week one, but it is already apt to say that the legacy of this new government depends on it.’

On the plus side, the appointment of Simon Clarke as the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing,

and Communities, has been welcomed by many in local government. Clarke had previously been chief secretary to the Treasury and a minister for local government.

‘Simon was instrumental in providing local government with a significant funding boost in last year’s spending review, but the reality is that much of this additional resource has been swallowed by inflation, leaving vital services and infrastructure projects under pressure,’ said CCN chairman, Cllr Tim Oliver.

‘Over the coming weeks we will be demonstrating the scale of the challenge facing local government which will need to be addressed later this year.’

In addition, the recently published National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England 2022 shows that local government still has considerable spending power, even in the aftermath of austerity and the pandemic.

The document shows that in 2021, local government spent more than £70 billion on goods and services. Crucially, it contains new procurement rules, which are expected to move the winning bidder test from ‘most economically advantageous tender’ (MEAT) to ‘most advantageous tender' (MAT). This may not sound like a big deal in itself, but it will help councils to focus on value in its broader sense when awarding contracts. It also places a renewed emphasis on social value, which includes the wellbeing of individuals and communities, social capital, and the environment.

Whatever the next few months bring in terms of funding, the fact remains that councils are at the forefront of delivering environmental change at local level. Andrew Walker, head of research at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) says councils have a ‘crucial role to play’ in averting ‘catastrophic climate change’.

‘Over 300 councils have declared climate emergencies and many local authorities have shown vision, ambition, and innovation in delivering climate action. These achievements have illustrated that councils are an essential component for delivering net zero,’ adds Walker.

‘However, as a cost-of-living crisis begins to bite and energy prices continue to rise, it also falls to councils to

ensure that this continues to translate into bold action that is supported by and rooted in communities.’

And environmental groups have made it clear that now is not the time to water down action to improve the environment at a local level.

‘We hope councils are not forced to back track on commitments to reduce air pollution and reach net zero goals,’ says Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan.

‘As well as claiming to be world leading on climate change action, the UK government signed the Paris Agreement, so local governments are mandated to act. Any reneging on our commitments and reduction in investments would be foolhardy and a dereliction of duty,’ she adds.

‘Rather, by investing in energy efficiency and switching to more renewable energy sources the government could ease the cost-of-living crisis facing households across the country, remove the additional health and care burden on our already overstretched NHS, and improve the quality of the air we breathe.’

And Helena Bennett, Head of Climate Policy at Green Alliance, argues that rising prices are definitely ‘not a barrier to net zero’.

‘Indeed, many of the policy interventions that have been discussed, such as insulating people’s homes and ensuring public transport is cheap and easy, are things that we also need to do to bring down emissions,’ says Bennett.

‘And, while its local authorities that are responsible for social housing and public transport services in many cases, what they can do is limited without the support from central government.’

Although there are many question marks now about what happens over the next 12 months, one thing is for sure. There will be many competing voices, including those who will demand net zero be scrapped entirely. But renewable energy is a part of the solution to long-term energy stability and economic growth in this country. Local government and environmental groups will have to work together to ensure that the funding continues, and vital projects do not get derailed.

Delivering solutions for cleaner air

Yunex Traffic is the UK leader in intelligent traffic systems (ITS), designing, developing, manufacturing, installing and maintaining a wide portfolio of traffic management products for customers worldwide.

Active in 24 countries, we enable cities and transport authorities to make their road networks and vehicle fleets more intelligent, efficient and safer. We deploy the latest digital technology to minimise the impact of vehicle emissions, as well to lessen the environmental impact of the provision and maintenance of the critical infrastructure that keeps vehicles moving and our towns and cities functioning.

We offer a range of services from complete turnkey solutions and fully integrated strategic traffic management and control suites to individual tactical solutions designed to achieve targeted benefits. These solutions enhance road safety, improve traffic flow and reduce emissions in congested areas.

Our systems portfolio spans from our innovative Plus+ traffic control system, to congestion charging and clean air zone solutions, as well as managed services, hosting, traffic enforcement, connected mobility and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

We play a key role in supporting local, regional and national transport authorities to arrest and reverse the decline in air quality. To achieve this,

authorities are increasingly deploying targeted clean air and low emissions zones, with our infrastructure and technology behind London’s recently expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone as well as clean air zones (CAZs) in Birmingham and Portsmouth. We are also now developing schemes with authorities in Sheffield and Newcastle. Targeted and effective, Clean Air Zones drive behavioural change, discouraging the use of older, higherpolluting vehicles in towns and cities, with technology and enforcement solutions helping to accelerate the changes required to achieve air quality improvements. Well-designed solutions help ease congestion, improve air quality, and maintain road safety. They also gather data-rich information from on-street assets, enabling cities to better

plan, manage and evolve to meet their changing priorities.

Working with Transport for London (TfL), we are also developing FUSION, a new approach to the intelligent adaptive control of traffic signals. The system ensures traffic management decisions and target outcomes are policy-driven, so for example traffic signal timing can be optimized to ensure active travel modes and cleaner air outcomes are prioritised.

FUSION is currently being trialled at live sites across London and the initial results have been extremely encouraging, with the system’s impact on congestion particularly significant.

By optimising signalised junctions and pedestrian crossings based on all road users’ needs and traffic policy priorities, FUSION has reduced congestion by between 20% and 60% compared to SCOOT - the system which has been operating in London for 30 years.

We have the vision, experience, expertise and product range that enables transport managers and authorities to meet their traffic and carbon targets, including the need to balance transport efficiency with emissions and road safety. We know how important constructive partnerships are if national, regional and local mobility and air quality targets are to be achieved, and we look forward to working with you, our customers and supply chain partners, to reduce accidents, congestion and harmful emissions in our cities.

Uniting what’s next in traffic.

We are connecting the dots of a new mobility revolution that is transforming our towns and cities.

With the broadest end-to-end portfolio of intelligent traffic management solutions, we work with cities, highway authorities and mobility

operators to make their road networks and fleets intelligent, enhance road safety and improve air quality.

It’s time to make the world a better place. We are ready. Are you?

A change in climate: How local authorities can move towards healthier, greener transport

AirQualityNews ’ Martin Guttridge-Hewitt takes a breather with Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman, Active Travel Commissioner for England, to discuss support available to councils for cycling infrastructure.

It’s easy to understand why cycling has switched up a gear from enthusiast’s pursuit, and one of the few sporting disciplines Great Britain can be relied on for, to a central route on the UK’s future transport road map. Firstly, we’re a country rapidly firing up - or shutting down - engines in a bid to hit our carbon net zero target year of 2050, and pedal power is destined to play an important part in that.

Then there’s the NHS emergency; around 6.8m people are waiting for treatment at the time of writing and widespread predictions of a looming crisis due to vast numbers of undiagnosed diseases leftover from the pandemic. Exercise, of any kind, is known to reduce the risk of becoming obese, and help keep diabetes, chronic heart disease and cancer rates down, among other conditions. Throw in the cost-

of-living nightmare we’re all currently living in, where alternatives to wallet-depleting fuel costs, bus or rail tickets should be encouraged, and we should all be convinced. Until recently, though, the lack of a centralised body to oversee and guide on investment, consultations, infrastructure and standards within active travel, which includes, but is not limited to cycling, meant Local Authorities already stretched for resources were left to their own devices when coming up with proposals to revolutionise their transport for the greener and healthier. It’s something Chris Boardman MBE, 1992 Olympic gold medallist, former Greater Manchester Cycling & Walking Commissioner and now Active Travel Commissioner for England understands only too well.

Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman, Active Travel Commissioner for England

‘It’s a very easy cause to champion, cycling, but someone needed to rally people. Since Boris Johnson took power there has been this massive acceleration nationally, because as Mayor of London he saw what active travel did for the city and wanted to make the same thing available to the country,’ Boardman explains. ‘The government’s Active Travel policy now is sensational, it’s really well written, and built into bus strategies, Local Authority funding agreements you must do active travel, or you don’t get the money for that other thing. This makes it a very exciting time to be involved.

‘I said it recently in a Select Committee hearing, the climate excuse the pun has changed. Globally, never mind nationally, we’ve realised that this is a cheap but very big part of the overall solution to getting us all to drive less,’ he continues. ‘So not penalising people but giving them an option. All the biggest issues currently facing us, this is part of the answer. And it’s the cheapest or one of the cheapest ways to get there. So suddenly it’s gone right up the agenda in politics, and that’s why it’s so visible in the media right now.’

Putting those claims into context, our conversation switches to the uptake in ridership and potential cost savings. Boardman cites impressive numbers, with cycling ten times cheaper than driving on average, and a 31% fall in car ownership among young people creating an increasingly large demographic that don’t just want an alternative to motoring, they need it. In London, where investment in infrastructure has been greatest and taking place for the longest, almost 30% of the population cycle as a means to get around, with TfL estimating a further 22% are seriously

considering switching to bikes. We’re also told that Greater Manchester, which is visibly ramping up efforts to realise its own ambitious aims for a comprehensive cycle network, now has more people using bikes for travel than riding the Metrolink tram network.

Change is unarguably taking place on a national level, although areas are at different stages of their near-inevitable active travel transformation. Boardman explains his cohorts at Active Travel England have already overseen the allocation of around £200m to councils this year, and during that time there has been more contact than ever from Local Authorities. Hundreds of locations are looking for assistance, from designs to funding bids, not to mention advice on presenting those who object with convincing arguments in favour of a change that causes disruption in the short-term, but provides significant long-term gains, albeit these may not be obvious until they happen.

‘I think the most important way to connect with people is just asking the right questions. For Local Authorities, it comes down to this can you afford not to? Are the other things you’re doing now creating the place you want to live, the place you want to leave for your kids? Is it sustainable? Is it healthy? It’s about finding the right questions, that’s what we did right at the start in Greater Manchester. We said: ‘Listen, you don’t have to do anything at all. It’s entirely your choice. My job is to say, we’re not going to spend money on rubbish,’ says Boardman, explaining part of his role has been to introduce standardisation for cycling infrastructure, ensuring whatever is built is actually usable, and people want to use it.

‘One of the things we can do, for example, comes down to connecting people. So we can get councillors in Wythenshawe, and put them in touch with councillors in Waltham Forest, who can help them understand the journey they have been on getting to where they are now. Those links are crucial,’ Boardman continues, before offering an example of what conversations might sound like. ‘This is the opposition I faced massive protests and I was really worried about it, but this is what my area looks like now. Boris [Johnson], for example, realised over £720m in health and economic benefits by doing what they did [with cycling in London]. Physical activity increased among residents by 14minutes per week, things like life expectancy went up, while nitrous oxide levels dropped. And even on boundary roads, those around cycling schemes, things have improved. So we take examples like that and give them to worried councils, then start with the right questions. The first one needs to be do you like what you’ve got now, and can you afford to keep doing things like that?.’

Growing Cities to Monitor Air Quality for Urban Planning

We know that poor air quality negatively affects our productivity and health. Those particularly vulnerable are children, elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease.

Pollution can affect air quality across a region or city, but can also be localized to a community, neighbourhood, or even a single building. Hyperlocal air quality could be very different from the regional air quality as reported by regulatory or governmental agencies. This is because research has linked higher concentrations of pollutant emissions to specific locales or stationary sources like heavily trafficked roads, factories or earthmoving activities.

What does this mean for growing cities?

In 2019, 82.9 percent (56.3 million people) of England’s population lived in urban areas and 17.1 percent (9.6 million) in rural areas. The U.K Government Office for Science reports the population in England and Wales has increased more in cities than in towns between 2001 and 2019.

Urbanization is an opportunity for economic growth, social integration and development of citizens and services; however, it is usually accompanied by increased demands on industry, the environment and transportation. More people mean more air pollution.

By utilizing air monitors with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, smart cities are able to efficiently gather and analyze localized air pollution data across their communities to make better decisions for citizens. For example, studies link

traffic pollution to poor academic performance. Urban planners utilizing a network of air quality monitors can obtain insights into the best placement for a new school to minimize student exposure to harmful air and to improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

How does a network of monitors work?

Official air quality measurements are monitored by large, fixed field stations. With advancements in air sensor technology, smaller and more portable monitors are now available, which means more monitors can be placed around a community to increase the spatial resolution of air quality assessments. BlueSky™ Air Quality Monitors are approximately the size of a large grapefruit and so lightweight they can be fastened to a pole or fence with a plastic zip tie.

When connected to Wi-Fi, BlueSky™ monitors report hyperlocal real-time air quality data which can be viewed, shared or downloaded from a secure website. Depending on your choice from two beneficial models, or a combination of the two to fit your environmental monitoring needs, data including time, temperature, an approximation of the U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and gas measurements (O 3, CO, CO 2, NO 2, and SO 2) are recorded independently by each device on the cloud and an

internal memory card, and multiple devices can be linked to the same account or project.

Why should I choose BlueSky™ Air Quality Monitors?

BlueSky monitors are designed by measurement experts from TSI Incorporated, a company that has set the standards for precision instrumentation since 1961. The team at TSI aimed to develop a connected solution for air monitoring that provided reliable, instantaneous data to urban communities working to minimize air pollution exposure.

Inside the BlueSky monitor is a TSI factory-calibrated PM sensor for precise data. A laser-based light scattering particle sensors simultaneously output PM1, PM2.5, PM4 and PM10 measurements. Equipped with self-diagnostics, device managers are notified of poor sensor performance while maintaining data integrity.

These monitors are easy to integrate into existing infrastructure and the proprietary cloud-based platform, TSI Link™ Solutions, provides secure, remote monitoring. Each device can stream and display real-time live data from the cloud using Wi-Fi without installing software or an app. You can also set up custom alerts, allowing you to address risks before they become a problem.

To learn more visit: www.tsi.com/ukbluesky.

CHANGE IS IN THE

HEALTHY AIR LEVEL OBJECTIVES

BY KATE BARNARD

Almost every climate policy commitment, pledge and target announced by governments around the world is struggling to keep its commitments. Often, the targets set are so ambitious that they are simply doomed to fail –with no cohesive strategies to turn intent into action.

Enjoy the Air Limited (ETA) is a leading expert in providing clear, data-driven strategies to improve air quality, working with local cities and councils across the UK.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE AIR?

Air pollution – particularly in large cities – is causing a spiralling health crisis with up to 40,000 deaths a year in the UK being caused by outdoor air pollution. While the introduced Environment Act puts responsibility on local authorities to tackle air quality in their area, many councils lack the data and strategic advice to perform this effectively. One key area councils are ill-equipped to manage is particulate matter emissions (PM2.5) from transport, which in some cases are now at higher levels than exhaust emissions.

Local authorities need a solid reference point for air quality data collection and interpretation, not an arbitrary measure or simple comparison with other councils. Even nationally legislated limits and targets are ineffective without strategy attached to them.

THE POWER OF DATA

Downloading the air quality reports from any UK council’s website shows a lot of data being collected to fulfil climate policy obligations – it’s just not being analysed or processed intelligently.

Glasgow has the largest traffic volume out of all of Scotland’s local authorities, and has the largest number of vehicles licensed in Scotland. Whilst it wishes to be seen as an environmentally trailblazing city (hosting UN COP26 in 2021) , sadly Glasgow still has air quality issues and had the highest lung disease mortality rate in Britain in 2015.

In conjunction with the University of Strathclyde, ETA created a cohesive dataset for public transit and private vehicles community in Glasgow, including the impact on air quality and pollution. Glasgow is now taking considerable steps in the right direction, with the ability to track, visualise and predict the city’s mobility patterns, paving the way for Net Zero.

A STANDARD FOR AIR QUALITY

ETA has created the HALO Clean Air Certification Standard – a detailed and comprehensive dataset of air quality parameters and objectives. Backed by worldwide certifiers Control Union, HALO Certification may be awarded to cities, councils and organisations that meet the criteria outlined in the standard. It’s not just ticking a series of boxes either – applicants must also demonstrate a quantifiable and continuing commitment to Healthy Air Level Objectives (HALO).

Councils and other organisations who attain HALO Certification receive a certificate, are listed on the HALO register, and are authorised to display the ‘HALO Certified’ brand mark in their corporate communications and advertising. An independent and standardised certification creates a level playing field for everyone and shows consumers and governments alike that environmental action is being taken and ongoing commitments have been made.

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

ETA has its own longer term strategies to support cities and councils in fulfilling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of HALO Certification, ETA recommends five key points toward achieving Healthy Air Level Objectives:

1. robust air quality monitoring

2. accessible and affordable public transport

commitment to educating the public

4. collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders

5. tighter compliance measures.

Reinvesting these benefits to the wider community is a key channel in which local authorities can improve air quality and satisfaction in areas around the UK.

Air quality targets are now a matter of ‘how’ rather than ‘when’. Data and certification will be the key tools for governments and local councils as we move into a more breathable future.

For more info on ETA’s data analysis and HALO certification please contact Enjoy the Air Limited:

The shape of future government policy under a new prime minister

By Stephen Cirell

It seems certain that the so called green agenda is heading for turbulent times. The election by Conservative Party members of a new leader and therefore Prime Minister is but one factor in a scenario that suggests a bleak winter ahead.

Boris Johnson may have had many faults, but he was a supporter of action against climate change and the promotion of the green agenda. The old phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’ comes to mind as calls for his head gathered pace in the wake of the Partygate scandal. There can be no doubt that his decision to resign was the right one, but what will the future now hold?

Sadly, the hustings for Liz Truss did not bode well for the green agenda. The environment has barely been mentioned in any of the debates and neither candidate considered it fruitful to openly back the current policy. Even worse, some comments were distinctly negative, such as Liz Truss saying that our fields should be full of our ‘fantastic produce’ not solar panels. Rishi Sunak also sensed the grass roots Party’s traditional dislike of renewable energy and agreed that fields should be used for food production and not solar panels.

The reason this is disappointing is that neither comment is accurate or helpful. Surveys of Conservative Party Members have revealed a 73% support for solar power, including solar farms. Close 30,000 MW of solar capacity currently in the pipeline and yet if every one of these installations were completed (which they will not be) this would still account

for less than 0.4% of the UK’s agricultural land and 0.28% of the entire land area. Moreover, solar farms help cash strapped farmers in difficult financial times. It seems facts are subservient in the eyes of the candidates to what they think the members want to hear.

Even more concerning is the rumour that Liz Truss was contemplating suspending work towards the net zero target under the Climate Change Act. Of course, she would be unable to reverse the legal responsibilities without further legislation but such action could do untold damage to progress against a target that grows more difficult by the day.

It seems incredible that a sensible debate on the climate change targets has not formed a central part of each candidate’s proposals for government. The CBI is very clear that the net zero transition offers the UK huge potential for inward investment and world leading positions, such as in offshore wind and wave and tidal energy. From that comes the jobs and growth so badly needed in these difficult economic times. It’s like ‘Groundhog Day’ once again - having missed the opportunity under the ‘build back better’ proposals post - Covid lockdown to introduce a national insulation scheme that would have created tens of thousands of jobs and reduced energy bills, again the main players see it differently.

Energy bills are going to create the worst political crisis in the UK for years. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary folk, in work and home owners, are going to be thrown into fuel poverty by rising prices that are causing alarm and panic. Yet

Liz Truss is proposing a moratorium on the green levies on energy bills. There is little positive to find in that suggestion.

Prices are rising due to the international wholesale price of gas, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the action against Russia. The market was already volatile following increased demand post Covid. The so called green levies are not the cause of the inflation and are tiny by any measure and so this will do nothing to help the problem. They provide subsidies for much needed renewable energy and schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation, which provides funding for energy efficiency work in low income homes and social housing. They risk damaging the reputation of the green agenda by suggesting to the public that this is the cause of the problem.

It could have been so different. The debate could have properly aired the need for clear action on climate change, the need to reverse the biodiversity decline and improve air quality. Post - COP 26, the message could have been that action in this direction is actually the answer to the problems. More renewable energy will create jobs and growth. More renewable energy will improve energy security and reduce the UK’s vulnerability to imported power on prices it cannot control. Action on energy efficiency will reduce the level of heat needed to heat homes and therefore protect against energy price inflation.

It is likely that little will change in the overall direction of travel. The UK is legally bound to reach a position of net zero

carbon by 2050 and that will not change. The UK has reached the level set by the first three Carbon Budgets, but it is already clear that it is falling short on the next two. Legal action is already underway on its efforts to meet these targets. One thing that is certain is that there are enough people determined to ensure that the government is forced to comply with its legal responsibilities.

However, the top level ministerial support for action against climate change, so openly seen during COP 26, might be in doubt moving forward. Much of this work depends on both government policy and government funding. While the former might be harder to change, the latter will be vital if the momentum is to be maintained, in turn allowing pollution to be reduced much faster, and more easily.

But it is impossible to predict how the dual problems of energy prices and general inflation will play out so far as the green agenda is concerned. Will reason shine through? Or will the Government continue to repeat past mistakes?

The new Prime Minister, will face some really tough challenges. It is interesting that Rishi Sunak has openly said that if the Conservatives do not help the needy this winter they will be annihilated in the next general election. So this next term as PM may actually be a perfect example of a poisoned chalice.

Stephen Cirell is an independent consultant on climate change, low carbon and renewable energy.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

WHO ARE WE?

Healthy Air Technology manufactures and supplies standalone air purifiers, designed for any indoor environment, which combine industry best practice HEPA-13 filtration with our patented DNO-Technology. Together they remove PM 2.5 particles from the atmosphere and neutralise pollutants, bacteria, and viruses (including coronaviruses).

Our machines are certified to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, plus, our activated carbon DNO catalyst prevents “secondary release”, a common problem for other technologies, where machines designed to keep you safe will release harmful trapped microbes back into the atmosphere.

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

Our customers range from offices, homeowners, hotels, dentists, hospitals, gyms, vehicles, and any indoor space that needs to reduce pollution or prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Our partners range from councils and universities to health professionals around the world. Our user-friendly systems use a colour coded design to inform you of your air quality, automatically adjusting their speed to

neutralise the pollution level automatically, ensuring you the best level of protection at all times.

OUR CORE PRODUCT RANGE

The most popular units supplied to homes and commercial buildings are the HA500 and HA800. Both units are designed for a consistent high level of performance.

WHY PURCHASE THE HA500/800?

Powered by our unique DNO-technology developed by an Oxford University scientist, they are proven to be the most effective commercial air purifiers, providing medical level purification anywhere. Supported by a smart air flow delivery system optimised by the same technology as used by NASA.

The units are extremely energy efficient, with CADR’s of 500 m3/h @45w and 799 m3/h @80w respectively, making them class leading machines in terms of performance to energy consumption ratio. Typically, they operate at significantly lower energy rates, consuming 4W or 8W’s when running at a normal operational speed, costing no more than an LED lightbulb.

Smart control technology

Smart control technology

TECHNNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SMART CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

Low noise

Low Noise

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Almost silent at speed 1, reaches at 67dBA at max speed, the quietest for it’s CADR.

Portable Weighs 15.8KG, it can easily be transported or moved by anyone.

Cheap and Sustainable Portable DNO Technology

Cheap and Sustainable Portable DNO Technology

Low noise

DNO Technology

99.9% Effective Killing rate against bacteria and viruses.

WHAT IS IT?

DNO Technology was designed by a leading scientist from Oxford University and is patented by and used exclusively in all Healthy Air Purifiers.

It uses an innovative new catalyst to break down pollutants, bacteria and viruses at room temperature turning them into harmless substances rendering them completely safe.

This technology is combined with a primary filter and two HEPA 13 filters to provide you the ultimate protection available.

UNIQUE DNO TECHNOLOGY

Cheap and Sustainable

At normal speed, costs no more to run than most LED lightbulbs.

Smart Air Delivery System

Smart Air Delivery System

Smart control technology Cheap and Sustainable Portable DNO Technology

Smart Air Delivery System

Smart Air Delivery System

Formula One air flow technology for complete air distribution.

This technology is combined with a primary filter and two HEPA 13 filters to provide you the ultimate protection available.

RED DOT DESIGN

Our units have won a Red Dot Design award, for their innovative, intuitive design. Operation is simple so you can get on with your day safe in the knowledge that you are protected by one of the best technologies available.

Cambustion identify the reasons behind air pollution “hot spots”

Urban hotspot

London

The widespread network of air quality sensors yields valuable information regarding general air quality and, indeed, how that air quality changes over hours, days and months. What is clear is that some locations are cleaner than others and quite persistent pollution “hot spots” still exist despite various measures.

In recent years, Cambustion’s ultrafast response NO & NO2 analyzers have been deployed by local and national governments (plus some government agencies) to help identify the causes of such hot spots. The equipments’ 15 millisecond response time enables the roadside pollution measurement from each individual passing vehicle and this allows for ANPR identification of “gross emitters” (see graph opposite) Often, excesses in roadside NO2 are caused by a small minority of vehicles which flood the area with a sudden spike of emissions as they accelerate away from traffic lights or start their engines from a car park. A significant and growing problem is the apparent tampering of Euro 6 vehicles which should have an active catalyst system (fed with “Adblu”) but whose owners fit a “defeat device” rather than pay the servicing costs. This can result in apparently clean, modern vehicles

gaining access to clean air zones despite themselves being turned in to gross emitters.

Another way in which Cambustion have helped to identify why and where modern diesel engines might emit is to travel with the analyzer on board a candidate vehicle and measure the tailpipe emissions while travelling a chosen route equipped with a GPS system. This yields a map of the route showing the precise location and concentration of the NOx emissions. The hot spots often correlate with traffic signals, speed bumps and other

situations where drivers are frequently on and off the accelerator.

Cambustion’s 35 year history in the calibration of engines, trying to make their emissions and fuel consumption as low as possible, gives them unique insight in to why modern vehicles might emit large quantities of NOx under certain circumstances with resulting recommendations for changing of traffic light phasing, HGV routes and any other measures available. The identification of tampered vehicles is something which the authorities are keen to pursue with vigour.

How to rollout a successful Clean Air Zone scheme communication strategy

By Adrian Odds, marketing and innovation director, CDS

In a bid to clean up city-wide pollution, local authorities are following London’s suit by implementing Clean Air Zones (CAZ). By deterring those driving older, less efficient vehicles with daily charges, councils hope to limit emissions and reduce harmful pollutants. The Environment Act 1995 also requires councils to meet targets for air quality.

will be reinvested in the community, to the prompt printing and mailing of penalty charge notices (PCNs) and clear signage, there is a lot to consider.

Adrian Odds, marketing and innovation director, CDS

Whilst tackling climate change is high on the CAZ agenda, pollution also contributes to health inequity. For residents and visitors, areas of low air quality can have a direct impact on health status, especially in children, the elderly, and people living with pre-existing health conditions. The need for change is clear.

Significant changes ahead

Bristol, Manchester, and Newcastle are among those planning imminent schemes, and it’s been reported that a CAZ can be a ‘logistical nightmare’ – especially for businesses and elderly people – if not communicated in the right way.

It’s therefore important that councils get it right from the start. From helping the public to understand why the CAZ is needed, and how funds raised through penalties and fines

However, local authorities don’t need to go it alone. Some key considerations and learnings can be taken from the successful roll-out of Birmingham City Council’s CAZ - as part of the Brum Breathes programme. Birmingham's local authority had a clear and well-planned communication strategy in place to navigate the challenging path it faced in 2021.

Five key considerations for the successful rollout of your CAZ scheme.

❶ Conduct behavioural and experience insight research

The first two things councils need to do is carry out thorough research to understand the resources it has available to meet the operational requirements of the scheme, and to properly understand the needs of the wider community who will primarily be affected by it. The former analysis allows you to determine whether external help might be needed in the operational delivery of the scheme. Local councils may not typically have access to the right technology or the expertise to

deploy it, they might also need access to large-scale print management facilities, particularly if a large volume of penalty charge notices or charge certificates is expected. Working with a transformational partner - as Birmingham City Council did – outsourcing these non-core processes can help avoid delays and additional, unforeseen costs.

Behavioural and experience insight research helps councils to get to know the people the CAZ will affectsomething no local authority can overlook. This approach identifies, for example, how many noncompliant vehicles are in the area, and importantly, why people are driving rather than using public transport, cycling, or walking. This can highlight both simple changes in information and experience that may not be costly to deliver, as well as some of the more systemic behaviours and patterns around which more focus can be brought.

This data will also aid decision-making about the stakeholders who need to be involved and communicated with, which type of zone should be implemented, whether charges should be applied, and what else needs to be done to ensure the success of the scheme, such as additional public transport services or more cycle lanes.

This research will act as the foundation for everything that happens before, during, and after the launch of the scheme.

❷ Start the conversation in advance

One of the most overlooked areas of implementing a CAZ is communication with residents and businesses well in advance of the CAZ going live.

It’s important that the intended outcomes are clear from the outset, as this will aid adoption and support the change in commuting behaviours which is required for the success of the scheme.

Failing to convey the message as early as possible can lead to a lack of awareness, which then leads to confusion and frustration for both motorists and local authority organisations. This should be avoided at all costs.

Giving at least a one-to-two-year period will give enough time for citizens and businesses to become familiar with the proposal and plenty of time for communities to ask questions or give feedback. It will also give local authorities enough time to plan each stage of the roll-out, taking this feedback into account.

Local authorities need to remember that for much of the public, receiving a CAZ Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be their first ‘brush with the law’ and can be quite distressing. So clear and helpful communication about why this is necessary is key.

❸ Engage and incentivise the community

Many consider a CAZ to be an annoyance and an unnecessary change to their daily routine, so councils must focus on the advantages of the scheme and incentivise communities to take the leap to greener travel.

In some cities, councils may choose to offer loans or grants for people to be able to upgrade their vehicles, to electric or hybrid. Or, if this isn’t possible, then a Clean Air Fund might be put in place to offer local travel discounts for public transport, or for cycle-to-work

schemes - funded through the charge notices awarded for non-compliance.

Local authorities need to be upfront and proactive about offering and communicating these benefits, as this will aid adoption. There will no doubt be questions and concerns from citizens, so internal processes need to be in place to help people efficiently, and the process of engagement should be continuous once the CAZ is live as residents and visitors will continue to encounter it ‘for the first time’, for some time to come.

❹ Consider key communication devices

Communication includes everything from direct contact with the public to digital comms, signage and road markings – it’s the route to the success of the scheme and to the funds that will support it and other climatefriendly initiatives. This makes communications the most important consideration of all. Obvious signage is of the utmost importance to let drivers know where and when the CAZ starts or ends. If this isn’t clear, it’s only going to add to the frustration of the public and cause more issues down the line. Communication in the form of emails and social media campaigns is critical for ensuring constant engagement with citizens, but councils need to consider those who may have accessibility needs or may not have access to the internet, so physical information points and letters are also paramount. The accessibility of your communications is key to reaching everyone, and therefore key to the success of your scheme, so consider baking accessibility into your campaign strategy from the start. And get creative – the more your comms stand out, the more engagement and attention they’ll receive.

❺ Be prepared to overcome challenges Perhaps obvious to say, but there will be challenges along the way, and although it's hard to foresee potential issues before they arise, it's important to remember that this is a long-term process and one that has the best intentions at its heart, so it’s worth doing it right. From the initial set–up to the launch, if local authorities have kept clear and constant lines of communication with the public, the CAZ will be set up for success.

CDS are focused on delivering improved outcomes across digital infrastructure

Alphasense & the growth of air quality monitoring

When Alphasense first began trading in 1996 the company’s focus was on delivering accurate, repeatable and cost-effective sensors for the monitoring and detection of gases in the safety sector. 26 years on, whilst sensors for Safety devices still represents a significant proportion of business, they are also seeing a welcome growth in demand for their air quality sensors, something which reflects rising and widespread concerns about the air we are all breathing day to day, rather than just those exposed to specific risks.

certification, the challenge for the air quality sector is the far narrower margins for error in PPB measurement, Air quality applications not only require a different grade of sensor to provide meaningful data but also more refined electronics and frequently complex algorithms in order to compensate for environmental factors.

The low-cost Air Quality monitoring sector is advancing rapidly but with many OEM’s still established less than 5 years ago, the costs of R&D and small batch production still weigh heavy on the device cost and ultimately on adoption.

innovation.

For our customers, a lot of the focus is on signal conditioning, atmospheric compensation and data manipulation and this is where we can see some big steps forward being made,’ he continues. ‘Fundamentally, our role is to provide our customers with accurate, repeatable, and stable results and we are constantly working to enhance our offerings and the value they offer.’

Alphasense’s EMEA Sales and Marketing Director, Will Parrett, is quick to point out the differences between the two types of products. Specifically, the fact that air quality sensors are designed to target low-level background levels of pollution which are hazardous to human health over extended time periods.

Whilst sensors for safety applications typically monitor gas levels in parts per million (PPM) in order to quickly identify immediate hazards and those present over an 8 hour shift, air quality specific sensors target parts per billion (PPB) in order to identify the low level background gases which cause harm due to long term exposure.

Whilst the safety sector has its own challenges, such as the need to balance weight / power consumption with the demands of hazardous area

There are however signs of a shift in the market as larger player invest in the sector, allowing manufacturers to employ a longer term or data-focused view which is in turn making the tech more affordable.

As Parrett explains: ‘It’s something of a chicken and egg scenario in that mass adoption can’t happen without the cost of tech coming down, and OEMs need high volumes to bring those costs down. Legislation is not yet prescriptive enough to drive the volume, but a combination of increased awareness, corporate responsibility, and Clean Air Zones are increasing the prevalence of widescale air quality monitoring.

‘Increased investment in the sector will allow more manufacturers to evolve from R&D / start-up phase into commercially driven SMEs and I think this will create competition between manufacturers which will in turn drive

Putting things into perspective, the gas safety sector has well over three decades of research and development behind it, while low-cost air quality monitoring has only really been a research concern for around ten years.

Nevertheless, progress made during that time by firms like Alphasense is nothing short of impressive, and indicates a very real need for the products, with more and more customers – public and private – understanding why analysing atmospheric content is so important.

In turn, this points to the continued rapid development of associated products and services to make monitoring more efficient, affordable and – ultimately – accesible.

clean air

Tailor-made air pollution monitoring

HORIBA’s AP-370 Series air quality monitoring system supports precise, reliable and easy continuous measurement for all criteria air pollutants detailed in the UK National Air Quality Strategy.

precision air pollution monitoring data vital for air pollution assessment, countermeasures and environment pollution policies by local and national authorities, private and public companies, and national organisations. Its ambient monitoring systems are used globally, with over 15,000 analysers supplied and maintained by the Company’s global team of field engineers.

As outlined within the UK National Air Quality Strategy, stringent targets have been set to cut polluting emissions by 2030 to secure significant public health benefits. To be able to meet air quality targets and enforce restrictions locally, councils and other relevant public bodies must have the tools at the ready to monitor ambient air quality easily and effectively.

Air quality monitoring refers to continuous measurement of criteria air pollutants in line with regulations. Air pollution data, together with natural background/trace gas monitoring and stationary source emission monitoring, are key to defining the type of air pollution people are exposed to.

In 2011 HORIBA signed the United Nations Global Compact, committing to tackle environmental challenges by taking initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility and develop technologies to protect our planet. As such, HORIBA’s cuttingedge analytical technologies enable its customers to obtain accurate and precise measurements in real-time to comply with air quality regulations, including roadside monitoring, stack emissions from large industrial chimneys, as well emissions produced from various manufacturing processes. In each scenario, precision and accuracy are crucial when reporting pollutant levels.

Used widely in the UK, HORIBA’s ambient air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) can be tailor-made according to customer specifications. HORIBA can provide several types of monitoring stations, analysers, cabinets, calibration equipment and supporting components to meet many challenging monitoring requirements.

and rapidly monitor air pollutant concentrations continuously. Its wide range of parameters for verifying air quality conditions include: SO2, NOx, CO, CO2, ozone, total hydrocarbons and particulate matter (PM). Easy to maintain and operate, the analysers are user-friendly touchscreen operated with low operation cost and weight. HORIBA’s proven analytical technologies used within the monitors also ensure highly accurate concentration data using clear calibration and delivering high resolution of particle sizes.

All these analysers can be flexibly integrated into an AQMS that also measures metrological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, radiation, temperature, barometric pressure and ambient parameters. Such stations can be stationary or mobile for monitoring ambient conditions at multiple sites via one system.

Figure 2: Inside an AQMS which can be fixed or mobile and tailor-made by HORIBA to customer requirements

Air monitoring expertise and heritage

For over 50 years HORIBA has been supporting the delivery of high

Figure

Cutting-edge air pollutant monitors

HORIBA’s AP-370 series of MCERTS approved air pollutant monitors (Figure 1) offers a range of ambient analysers to precisely

In addition, using data management and reporting software, measured data can be readily remotely monitored and exported in various formats to the local central authorities via a wide variety of communication links. Key data can even be published online for easy public access to raise awareness on current air pollution levels.

For more information on HORIBA’s Air Quality Monitoring products see: https://www.horiba.com/gbr/processand-environmental/products/airquality-monitoring/

Enviro Technology Services

Founded in 1983 and now active in over 67 countries with a multimillion pound turnover, ET has evolved over 37 years to become a global provider of air quality and emissions monitoring systems and servicing. The company sell and lease equipment, systems and services covering the monitoring of ambient air quality (AQM), continuous emissions (CEM) and indoor air quality.

ET also supplies cutting-edge analytical equipment for scientific, process and research monitoring including the monitoring of greenhouse and toxic gases. The company operates out of a custom-designed 1700m2 factory featuring fully air-conditioned calibration and repair laboratories, in-house system manufacturing and dedicated testing and training facilities.

T: 01453 733200 www.et.co.uk

AS Modelling & Data provides dispersion and deposition modelling using the latest version of ADMS for a wide range of clients including farms, the waste water industry, waste management, general manufacturing and Local Authorities. Our team can provide the expertise, modelling, data and reports for odour, ammonia and air quality assessments including detailed modelling of emissions from ammonia scrubbers and innovative ventilation systems.

AS Modelling & Data can also provide meteorological station data and site-specific Numerical Weather Prediction data for any site location in the world, which can be converted for use within ADMS. We can provide data for meteorological parameters on request and data can be provided quickly at affordable prices. stevesmith@asmodata.co.uk

01952

CarTakeBack is the UK’s largest network of scrap car recycling centres with over 300 sites across the UK. CarTakeBack provide a scrap vehicle recycling service to the public and businessesincluding vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, police forces, auction houses as well as local authorities and government bodies.

CarTakeBack recycle vehicles to the highest standard and have a successful history of handling and supporting vehicle scrappage schemes - including government and local authority schemes as well as vehicle manufacturer and dealership lead schemes.

Data Monitoring Systems Ltd are a complete data solutions provider

From your single analyser, right through to your complete network, our Data Gateway has the ability to connect to 20 analysers simultaneously. Major analysers, for example, Thermo, Palas, Ecotech, Vaisala, and more may be connected to our Data Gateways with automatic calibrations also being carried out. Data ratification, and reports may be carried using our Reports package.

Coming soon:

Indoor Air Monitoring system

TVOC,

Particles

CO2

Temperature

Humidity with display, mobile phone and WiFi connectivity.

Web portal for displaying your data.

Mobile phone application.

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GRAMM SmogStop

GRAMM is the UK leading specialist in the design, supply & installation of environmental acoustic barriers. We have constructed literally 1,000’s of Km’s of acoustic barriers of all types of materials throughout the UK and Europe.

GRAMM SmogStop Barrier reduces air and noise pollution levels in surrounding neighbourhoods, and takes a two-pronged approach to reducing air pollution from major roads, highways and railways. The patented aerodynamic design reduces pollution levels by enhancing dispersion. At the same time, a proprietary coating on the barrier actually breaks down the NOx and VOCs that produce smog, transforming them into harmless by-products

We are an indoor environment air treatment manufacturer that brings to market an innovative, sustainable and an environmentally friendly technology.

Developed in cooperation with the world-renowned Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, our NCCO (Nano Confined Catalytic Oxidation) air treatment system is entirely safe and has one of the longest filter lives in our industry.

It is effective in killing bacteria, viruses, removes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), odours, smoke, PM2.5 particulates, yeasts, and allergens.

Our products are used in a wide range of industries such paint, perfume, air, rail, hotel industries, hospitals, offices and in the home.

T: 01323 872243 www.smogstop.co.uk

Arcola Energy

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle engineering, Tier 1 Powertrain supply and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle project delivery.

Arcola Energy is a leading specialist in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for energy and transport. We help our customers to develop the right technology, supply-chain, deployment strategy, and after market solutions, avoiding costly mistakes and aiming to delight end-users. We have a collaborative approach, building long-term partnerships with and between our customers, suppliers and end-users. We focus on products which make a positive contribution to society, delivered with total commitment to quality, safety and compliance. Our manufacturing, installation and service facility in Liverpool City Region has capacity to supply 1,000s of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles per year.

T : +44 1565 640 960 www.int.rhtair.com

Environmental Monitoring

T: 020 7503 1386 sales@arcolaenergy.com

Em-Monitors (Environmental Monitoring) is a specialist provider and manufacturer of a range of environmental monitoring equipment. We recognise the need to minimise cost by providing accurate and meaningful data remotely to any location in the world.

Our air monitoring systems cover indicative indoor and air quality systems as well as reference system required to report to national standards. Environmental Monitoring also provide workplace monitoring equipment and training, so that you can produce professional reports with confidence.

Environmental Monitoring covers all your environmental monitoring requirements.

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This special Procurement Guide was brought to you by the team at AirQualityNews , in association with:

Alphasense supplies high-quality gas and particulate sensors to many of the world’s leading industrial OEMs in the air quality, industrial and gas safety industries. With over 25 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of high-accuracy sensors, the Alphasense brand is synonymous with quality and innovation, particularly in the fields of gas detection, industrial gas analysis and environmental monitoring

AQMesh is the proven small sensor outdoor air quality monitor manufactured in the UK by Environmental Instruments Ltd and supported worldwide through a global network of distributors. It has been designed to offer a robust and easyto-use air quality monitoring system that can deliver localised real-time readings, improving the accuracy and scope of gathering air quality data in order to support initiatives to reduce air pollution and its risk to human health.

Cambustion is an independent, privately owned company with headquarters in Cambridge, UK. The company was founded in 1987 by a research group at Cambridge University Engineering Department, to produce a fast response Flame Ionisation Detector for hydrocarbon measurement. This analyzer had immediate applications in engine and catalyst development and found users at OEMs and universities, since the rapid time response allowed new insights into engine behaviour.

and data provision. EarthSense deliver innovative solutions, enabling the world to visualise and manage its air quality issues with the mantra: Measure. Model. Act.

EarthSense is a leading air quality specialist, providing expert services in air pollution monitoring, modelling

Along with our partners at Control Union, advisors from Enjoy The Air, analyse your organisation and support your staff to achieve compliance and savings, guiding you along the way to achieving cleaner air standards, and secure the future for our local communities and wider planet.

many. Our core product - Roadvent® is a road based vehicle fume vacuum that is installed into the roadway. Roadvent has been scientifically proven to reduce roadside levels of pollution by 91%. At present we specialise in capturing, cleaning and diluting PM 0.3- PM 10 & NOx. Roadvent is able to create such significant air quality improvements due to its close proximity to the source of emissions, the tailpipe, brakes and tyres.

Healthy Air Technology manufactures and supplies standalone air purifiers, designed for any indoor environment, which combine industry best practice HEPA-13 filtration with our patented DNO-Technology. Together they remove PM 2.5 particles from the atmosphere and neutralise pollutants, bacteria, and viruses (including coronaviruses).

TSI Instruments is a world leading manufacturer of precision measuring instruments for more than 50 years and has been setting the highest standards for measurements relating to environmental monitoring, aerosol science, airflow, chemical analysis, indoor air quality, fluid dynamics and biohazard detection.

HORIBA has more than 50 years experience providing ambient monitoring solutions, recognized around the world. HORIBA has supplied over 15,000 units with the major share in many regions. The monitoring station is tailor-made according to the customer's request. HORIBA can provide several types of stations, cabinets, calibration equipment and more to meet your challenging monitoring requirements.

Pollution Solution is a UK based air quality technology business. We work with local authorities and private organisations to improve air quality, ensuring compliance, in turn significantly reducing human exposure to pollutants and improving the quality of life for

Vortex IoT offers a suite of cleantech air quality monitoring solutions that help organisations deliver greater environmental impact at an affordable price. Vortex IoT SalixAir sensors and our ultra-low mesh network help drive down carbon footprint by removing the need to visit the device location for any maintenance or servicing needs.

Yunex Traffic develops innovative mobility ecosystems and services for the smart city. This combines freedom of movement with limited space; autonomy with safety; climate targets with value creation; quality of life with digital progress.