On 23 April, IEEP UK hosted a webinar – ‘Air Quality: Can the UK feasibly reach WHO targets? A devolved perspective’ – which included different insights into the current state of Ambient Air Quality in the UK’s devolved nations and the EU in comparison with The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) updated guidelines.

The webinar was chaired by Livi Elsmore, Senior Campaign Manager at the Healthy Air Coalition, and began with a presentation by Christopher Crompton, Senior Policy Analyst for Air Quality at IEEP UK. Referencing IEEP UK’s recent ‘Air Quality Policy in the UK and EU: State of Play’ report, he noted key differences between the UK and the EU, highlighting the piecemeal approach to updating legislation in the UK since the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010. However, it was also stressed that for certain pollutants, devolved administrations, particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland, have improved upon EU standards.

Chiara Antonelli, Lead for Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Policy at IEEP, underlined that the EU’s position on air quality has traditionally sat between two poles: WHO recommendations and what is economically, technically and politically feasible. She highlighted that the recent revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) represents significant progress, with the EU closing roughly half the gap towards WHO recommendations. Chiara also pointed out that, just as some EU Member States go beyond directive requirements to align more closely with WHO guidelines, devolved UK nations could take inspiration to adopt more ambitious measures.

Professor Paul Lewis, Chair of the Clean Air Advisory Panel for the Welsh Government and Clean Air Programme Regional Champion for Wales, argued that in some respects Wales could be considered slightly ahead of the rest of the UK. This is due to the introduction of a statutory framework under the March 2024 Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act, which requires Welsh Ministers to set targets for PM_2.5 as well as at least one additional pollutant. Ammonia – which is not currently listed as a priority pollutant by the WHO or the EU – is in this list of additional pollutants. The Act further requires Ministers to have regard to WHO guidelines and to review targets every five years and Paul spoke of the Welsh Government’s “twin-track” approach on PM_2.5, setting both an annual mean target and a Population Exposure Reduction Target (PERT), similar to the EU framework.

Dr Neil Rowland, Senior Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast Business School and UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion for Northern Ireland, noted that Northern Ireland is lagging behind other devolved nations and does not yet have its own clean air strategy. Assessing whether Northern Ireland would meet WHO guidelines if implemented today, Neil highlighted that PM_2.5 and NO₂ levels would not meet current targets, although for PM₁₀ it is closer to compliance. While pollutant levels have remained relatively stable, he suggested that key pathways to meeting WHO guidelines include increased uptake of electric vehicles, promotion of active travel, and reducing the burning of solid fuels (including coal) for home heating. Given Northern Ireland’s large agri-food sector, Neil emphasised that tackling ammonia emissions will also be crucial.

Turning to Scotland, Gareth Brown, Healthy Air Coalition Lead for Scotland and Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Asthma + Lung UK, highlighted that the Scottish Government is in the process of publishing the third iteration of the Clean Air for Scotland Strategy, in which PM_2.5 targets are likely to be a central component. Gareth noted that although Asthma + Lung UK petitioned the Scottish Government in 2024 to adopt WHO guidelines, it remains uncertain whether this level of ambition will be achieved, despite the government’s stated aim of delivering the “cleanest air in Europe”.

Finally, Matt Browning, Principal Policy and Programme Officer (Air Quality) at the Greater London Authority, outlined actions being taken in London. He highlighted the Mayor of London’s commitment to achieving the interim WHO target of 10 µg/m³ for PM_2.5 by 2030. Measures such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) have reduced NO₂ levels by around 50%, while the expansion of electric buses and over 400 km of walking and cycling infrastructure have significantly improved air quality. However, Matt emphasised that fully meeting WHO guidelines remains highly ambitious, noting that while mayoral powers over transport have enabled reductions in certain pollutants, other sources (such as domestic wood burning) are more difficult to address without additional legal powers, whilst non-exhaust emissions from tyres and brakes also remain a challenge.

The panel discussion highlighted the breadth of challenges and opportunities in improving air quality across the UK. Panellists reflected on how different nations and regions are tackling issues such as home heating, car dependency, and policy alignment with EU frameworks, while keeping the World Health Organization guidelines as a central benchmark. The conversation emphasised both practical “quick wins” and longer-term structural changes, alongside the importance of ensuring the UK does not fall behind EU standards.

You can access the full recording by clicking here, or by watching below.