The Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2021 sets out the requirements for organisations (e.g. Local authorities) in Scotland to develop and managed Low Emission Zones.
Scotland is facing legal (environmental), health and social justice challenges around air pollution, where non-compliance with domestic and European air quality legislation is due predominantly to road-based emissions. Improving air quality is at the centre of the Scottish Government’s action on transport and place-making, to ensure the real and tangible health benefits associated with cleaner air are maximised.
Health impacts from air pollution are a key primary driver for low emission zone implementation. Transport-related air pollution caused by fine particulate matter and gases such as nitrogen oxides impact on human health. Pollution hotspots associated with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter remain in a number of Scottish towns and cities.
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government (PfG) 2018 committed to the introduction of Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) into Scotland’s four biggest cities between 2018 and 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic PfG 2020 provided a new indicative timeline for LEZs to be introduced into Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee between February 2022 and May 2022.
