Global cities around the world are starting to take drastic measures to reduce road transport emissions. In New York City, a new law is being put in place that will charge drivers well over $10 to drive n the busiest parts of Manhattan to reduce congestion and lower air pollution. Meanwhile, in London, city officials will start enforcing an ultra-low emission zone known as Ulez that will impose a £12.50-a-day charge on all vehicles driving into central London, except for the cleanest cars and vans. The move is expected to reduce road transport emissions by around 45%, something mayor Sadiq Khan is adamant about after research revealed that nearly 1,000 people a year are hospitalized with asthma caused by pollution in London each year. A bigger improvement is set to arrive in October 2021 when Ulez is due to be extended to all areas inside the North and Circular roads, which, if you’re not familiar with London, is a massive area that plays host to around 640,000 vehicles.
London just launched an ultra-low emissions zone for its city center
More of Today's Solutions
Earth Prize 2026 part I: teenage teams tackling big global problems
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every year, The Earth Prize asks teenagers across the world the same question: what environmental problem would you ...
Read MoreEarth Prize 2026 part II: seaweed fabric, hornbill nests, and a healing bandage
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM This is part two of our Earth Prize 2026 coverage. Part one covered four regional winners from Ireland, ...
Read MoreHow the capital of Lithuania is turning itself into a vast open-air cafe
For many cities around the world, the need for social distancing has motivated cities to experiment with different urban planning schemes. Recently, we published ...
Read MoreThis power-free sewer treatment plant was inspired by cow stomachs
80 percent of the world’s sewage is dumped untreated into the natural environment. This is a huge health and environmental crisis, but traditional sewage ...
Read More
