Air Quality & Climate Change in London

Air Quality In London: Moving Forward Locally

Air Quality in London: Moving Forward Locally is a multi-phased strategy designed to improve air quality, reduce our impact on climate change and raise awareness on how individuals, organizations and businesses can make a difference.

The City of London has already taken action on those emissions that we have direct control over. For example:

All City vehicles use ethanol-blended gasoline or low-sulphur diesel fuel
The City has added 19 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles and 2 Smart Cars to its vehicle fleet
Landfill gas, containing methane (a greenhouse gas) and odour-causing gases, is being collected and burned in a flare. The City of London has received federal and provincial funding to build a landfill gas power plant
City Hall is heated and cooled by London District Energy's tri-generation system, the most efficient way to use natural gas (generates electricity as well as steam for heating buildings and chilled water for air conditioning)
Since the 1990s, the City of London has used innovative energy performance contracts to make our buildings more energy efficient, saving money for the taxpayer
Traffic signal lights have been converted to use light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which use 85% less electricity than old-fashioned light bulbs

In 2009, the City of London is undertaking and/or has completed 12 initiatives that engage the public or local businesses. Highlights include:

Formation of the Southwestern Ontario Clean Air Council
Upcoming Transportation Master Plan public consultation process
Launch of the three-year London’s Travel Wise Community: Moving TDM Forward project
Completion of the ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles idling campaign

The City of London is also undertaking and/or has completed nine initiatives involving municipal facilities. Highlights include:

A 2.5 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Landon Library
Solar hot water heating system for Carling Heights Optimists Community Centre
Ground-source heat pump system and LED parking lot lights for the new Exeter Road Operations Centre
North London Community Centre & Library which has been designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold

Click here for the latest report on progress.

London's Current Air Quality Index Reading

The CLEAR Network provides information on local environmental indicators and actions Londoners can take.

Use the following links to learn more about air quality, climate change, transportation choices and how you can participate:

Urban Smog What is it and Where Does it Come from?
Climate Change Why is it Important to Understand the Impacts?
What Can You Do as an Individual?
What Can You Do as a Business?
Questions about Transportation Choices, Air Quality or Climate Change?

Urban Smog What is it and Where Does it Come from?

Over half of the air pollution (ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter) in London comes from upwind sources (e.g., emissions that reach London from industries and cities located in the Ohio Valley). The other half comes from us whether from our cars, our homes, our places of work, or the stores we shop at.

Vehicles are a significant source of smog-forming emissions within London. However, cars built since 2004 are significantly cleaner than before. Retiring older cars, particularly those built before 1996, will help reduce this further. Individuals can help alleviate emissions by finding alternatives to using vehicles, reducing the amount of vehicle use, cutting back on aggressive driving, and maintaining your vehicle.

Electricity use within London becomes the biggest source of emissions when indirect emissions from Ontario's coal-fired power plants are included1. In particular, during hot summer days, higher electricity demand for air conditioning cranks up the emissions from coal-fired power plants.

With cars getting cleaner, other sources of emissions are starting to become emerging issues. Lawnmowers and other small engine equipment, particularly older two-stroke engines, are one of the largest sources of volatile organic compounds (i.e., unburned gasoline fumes) in London. Consider replacing old lawnmowers and other gas-powered tools with manual or electric equipment, or even better, consider replacing your water- and energy-intensive lawn with a naturalized landscape.

For information on historical air pollution levels in London, visit the CLEAR Network.

For more information on local emissions, please refer to the latest Energy Use Inventory for London & Greenhouse Gas Impacts report.

(1) -- We call these "indirect emissions" since emissions from coal-powered power plants are generated "indirectly" through the demand for electricity during peak periods, compared to "direct emissions" occurring right here in London. When the demand for electricity is high, almost every extra kilowatt of electricity demanded in London needs to be generated from burning coal in power plants such as Lambton Generating Station. Therefore, electricity use in London is connected to the emissions generated from these power plants.

Climate Change - Why is it Important to Understand the Impacts?

Atmospheric scientists predict that the average temperature in London will rise by 2-3 ^oC in the next 50 years. Although this change may appear to be small and over a long period of time, the consequences locally and globally could be severe. Winters in London could become milder. Summers are expected to be drier and heat waves to be more common. Most importantly to many Londoners, higher temperatures will also make smog worse if emissions remain unchanged.

Relatively speaking, Londoners will be better off than people in other parts of the world – those living in low-lying coastal areas or areas with existing water supply issues

The City of London has been tracking energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions since the 1990s. This has helped City staff identify priorities for our environmental programs.

In London, individuals are the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicles are the biggest contributors, followed by home energy use (natural gas and electricity). Around 20% of all the electricity generated in Ontario comes from burning fossil fuels (mainly coal). Ontario's efforts to phase out coal-fired power plants and add renewable sources of electricity (wind, landfill gas) will help reduce emissions. However, conservation is critical if we are to succeed in phasing out coal.

In 2008, total greenhouse gas emissions from London were 3.49 million tonnes per year, a nine percent increase from 1990 levels. However, since 2002, it appears that greenhouse gas emissions from London have stabilized and may be starting to decrease. In 2008, greenhouse gas emissions dropped by over five percent compared to 2007.

Seasonal weather variations can influence energy use and associated emissions. In 2008, we experienced what many people felt was a “cold winter” and “cool summer”, when in fact both seasons were actually on par with the 1971-2000 climate norms for London. As a result, the demand for electricity for air conditioning was lower in summer and the demand for natural gas for space heating was higher compared to recent, warmer years. Therefore, the fossil fuel burning electricity generating stations were not needed as much during 2008 compared to other recent years

For more information, please refer to the latest Energy Use Inventory for London & Greenhouse Gas Impacts report.

What Can You Do as an Individual?

For information on energy-saving tips, incentives and rebates, please visit the EnergySaver website www.london.ca/energysaver.

For information on retrofitting your home, or buying an energy-efficient new home, visit www.energuide.london.ca.

For more information on sustainable transportation choices, please visit the City of London’s Cycling and Carpooling webpages and www.ltconline.ca.

What Can You Do as a Business?

For information on incentives and rebates for businesses, please visit the EnergySaver website www.london.ca/energysaver.

If your are a business located in the Oxford Street industrial area, consider participating in London’s Travel Wise Community: Moving TDM Forward project. Contact us at
for more details.