Air Quality: Reduce PM2.5 Population Exposure by 35% by 2040
Commitment: Reduce population exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by at least 35% by 2040 compared to 2018 baseline. The interim target is approximately 30% reduction by 2030 (specific percentage to be confirmed in statutory instruments). Environment Act 2021 statutory target.
Owner: Defra / Environment Agency / DESNZ (transport and energy emissions)
Target date: 2030 (interim); 2040 (final)
Metric: Population-weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentration in England.
Status: active
Context
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with diameter under 2.5 micrometres) is the air pollutant with the greatest impact on human health in England — causing an estimated 25,000-40,000 early deaths per year. Sources include road transport, industry, agriculture (ammonia from fertiliser and livestock), domestic burning, and cross-border pollution.
Key sources of PM2.5
- Road transport (particularly diesel vehicles): being addressed by transition to EVs but slowly
- Agriculture: ammonia from livestock and synthetic fertilisers is a major precursor
- Domestic burning: wood burning stoves; permitted fuels regulation
- Industrial sources: IPPC regulated
Connection to clean power
The transition to clean power directly reduces some PM2.5 sources (power station emissions) while potentially adding others (construction activity for wind, solar, and grid infrastructure). Net impact is positive.
Delivery history
- [2021] Environment Act: statutory air quality targets set
- [January 2025] EIP 2025: progress reviewed; trajectory broadly on course but transport and agricultural ammonia sources require continued action