What is air pollution?

Air pollution is often talked about in the context of climate change, but the focus of this guide is air pollution from a human health perspective. This type of air pollution includes gases, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM). The smaller the particles, such as PM2.5s, the more harmful they are as they can travel further into our respiratory system.

In 2019, the Borough of Tower Hamlets had the sixth highest annual average PM2.5 concentration weighted for population of the London Boroughs.

Tackling the issue of air pollution

The Air Quality Action Plan (2022-27) sets out Tower Hamlets Council’s aspiration to meet the updated 2021 WHO guideline value for PM2.5.

Reducing air pollution in urban areas requires a multipronged approach, with strategic planting of trees, gardens and green spaces playing an important role.

This guide is based on AFFORE3ST (Advancing a planning Framework FOr Regionally Enhanced & Equitable Ecosystem Services from urban Treescapes), a tripartite knowledge-exchange collaboration between Principal Investigator Dr James Levine, host partner Trees for Cities, and technical training partner UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. It has been produced in collaboration with Treeconomics, who conducted priority hotspots and feasibility mapping to underpin the analysis.

What's included?

This free guide consists of a literature review which underpins advice and guidance backed up with illustrations that identify priority spaces for tree planting and demonstrate practical and realistic approaches to the implementation of green infrastructure.

Although it was created for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the insights and recommendations provided offer a fantastic framework for other councils to support their green initiatives.