+44 1865 259200
The challenge
The City of London can experience high levels of air pollution, with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter being the two pollutants of most concern. The City Corporation, which governs the City of London, is required by statute to measure air pollution and to develop and implement a plan for improvement as health-based pollutant limits are exceeded. In 2001, the whole of the Square Mile was declared an Air Quality Management area for nitrogen dioxide and small particles (PM10). This project has provided new access to information for the public to improve their understanding of these issues.
The solution
The City Corporation was undertaking a review of the City of London Air Quality Strategy and wanted to include static visualisations of air quality data and information. Aether created an online, interactive data visualisation from which screenshots could be taken for the Air Quality Strategy. This approach provided not only the static visualisations but also a tool that could be used for engagement with policy makers and the public.
The result
The visualisation that Aether developed can be found here. This tool allows technical and non-technical users to explore the data and information. It can be used for engagement with the public and to aid evidence-based policy making. This tool can be updated and developed in the future to provide an ongoing aid for visualising complex information and drawing key messages on air pollution trends.
Kathryn Hampshire
Principal Consultant
Related case studies
Guidance on Reducing Emissions from Idling Diesel Trains
Category: Cities and Local Authorities, Rail
This RSSB project undertook research into the extent to which diesel trains are idling, where this occurs, the reasons for it, and the implications for air quality. The findings were used to produce guidance to help the rail industry to reduce the amount of idling without compromising the operation of the railway. Aether led the project team, with specialist advice from Carrickarory Consulting and Atkins-Realis.
Read case studyCity of London Air Quality Data Visualisation
Category: Cities and Local Authorities
Aether developed an online, interactive data visualisation for the City of London that could be used by policy makers and the general public to explore data and information on air quality. Topics covered include air pollutant emissions, bus fleet emission control technologies and the health impacts of air pollution.
Read case studyAdaptation and Mitigation Planning for Tamworth Borough Council
Category: Cities and Local Authorities, Emission Inventories, Policies and Measures
Aether, in partnership with SE2 and Mesh, delivered a package of work to support Tamworth Borough Council to develop an evidence-based climate change adaptation strategy and mitigation action plan.
Read case studyNews
Latest news
Posted on: 19 June 2026
NECD Review Week in Brussels
Aether spent a week at the European Commission in Brussels as part of the review of air pollutant inventories submitted under the EU’s National Emission reduction Ceilings Directive (NECD).
Read full storyPosted on: 18 May 2026
Power Query Workshop in Estonia
Aether travelled to the Estonian Environmental Research Centre (EKUK) in Tallinn to deliver a two-day training workshop for the inventory team to build capacity on the Excel power queries used in the GHG inventory templates previously set up by Aether in 2022.
Read full storyPosted on: 30 April 2026
Capacity Sharing in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Aether delivered a three-day GHG inventory capacity building workshop in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, towards development of the BTR1.
Read full storyPosted on: 17 March 2026
Central Asia Study Tour: Air Quality Workshop
Aether provided representatives from Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) who were visiting the UK on a study tour with an introduction to air quality management.
Read full storyFilter news by category
Aether Blog Air Pollution Air Quality Assessments Barriers to Net Zero Capacity Building Carbon Footprint Climate Emergency Climate Equality Climate Finance Consumption COP28 Culture Data Visualisation Economic Status Emissions Reporting European Topic Centre GHG Infrastructure Inventories Local Government Mitigation MRV National Government Net Zero Oxfam Paris Agreement Policy Recruitment Society Stakeholder Engagement Waste Sector Wider Impacts
Testimonial
