Scientists have called for a tax on polluting buildings to be introduced, similar to the ULEZ charge for cars.
Scientists at the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories at the University of York last week stressed the need to maintain air quality, particularly in cities.
“Air pollution is one of the highest causes of preventable death in the UK,” said Professor Alastair Lewis. But while attempts are being made to tackle pollution from vehicles, it is the way many buildings are heated that is the bigger culprit.
His collegue, Professor James Lee, said: “There will come a time when we will find that we cannot get air pollution levels to go down because we have done as much as we can by making improvements to pollution produced by road vehicles, but still have not tackled space heating and its impact on air quality. Then we will be at impasse – unless we act now.”
The team suggested some form of Ultra Low Emissions Zone charge for buildings could provide an incentive to change.
