Air Quality Update

Councillors will be updated on air quality in the city with a new report outlining positive results taken from monitoring at locations throughout Dundee in 2024 which shows that air pollution levels across the city in 2024 were within safe legal limits. 

The 2025 Air Quality Update found that levels of harmful pollutants like Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and tiny particles in the air (PM10 and PM2.5) were all below the limits set by law. These results came from tests carried out at 83 locations and six monitoring stations across Dundee.

Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee Convener Cllr Heather Anderson said: “The results show that the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan and the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) are making a real difference in making Dundee a healthier place to live, work and visit. Cleaner air is especially important for children, older people, and anyone with health conditions.”

The Committee report also gives an update on the initial performance of the Low Emission Zone.

Although it only started being enforced in May 2024, the area is already meeting air quality targets, and fewer people are getting fined for driving non-compliant vehicles in the zone, which shows that awareness and compliance are improving.

Other highlights from 2024 include:

• More people using secure on-street bike storage provided by the Council in residential areas, with usage increasing from 50% to 80%;
• Ongoing support for school active travel initiatives like walking and cycling buses;
• Growth in the ECO Stars fleet scheme, which now includes over 10,000 cleaner commercial vehicles;
• A rise in electric taxis with 232 of Dundee’s taxis now fully electric. 

Looking ahead, the Council plans to finalise a new Air Quality Action Plan in 2025 to guide improvements through to 2029. Additional funding of £205,250 has been secured from the Scottish Government to support this work in 2025/26.

Fair Work, Economic Growth & Infrastructure Convener Cllr Steven Rome added: “Significant progress has been made on improving air quality and targeting pollutants in Dundee in recent years and we’re committed to carrying that momentum forward.

“The introduction of the Low Emission Zone, wide-ranging active travel projects and EV infrastructure upgrades are all part of that broader vision for a cleaner and greener Dundee.”

The Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee meets on Monday 9th June.

If approved by the Committee, the full 2025 Air Quality Annual Progress Report and the 2024/25 LEZ Annual Report will be submitted to the Scottish Government.