Low-Emission Zones

Restricting Polluting Vehicles (Solution Type)

Global (widely applicable)

Highlight

Urban zones that restrict the most polluting vehicles to improve air quality and accelerate cleaner mobility.

Extended description

Low-emission zones restrict or charge the most polluting vehicles from entering defined urban areas, using emissions standards to improve air quality and encourage cleaner vehicles and modal shift. Widely deployed across European cities and elsewhere, they can reduce nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution and support transport decarbonisation. Their design varies by city, including vehicle classes, boundaries, exemptions and enforcement.