JNCC is an official supporter of Clean Air Day. The information on this page provides a brief background to air pollution and the effects it can have on nature.
Clean Air Day is a campaign led by Global Action Plan to:
- Improve public understanding of air pollution.
- Build awareness of how air pollution affects our health.
- Explain the easy actions we can all do to tackle air pollution, helping to protect the environment and our health.
This short animation provides an introduction to sources of air pollution and the effects on nature.
Clean Air Public Insight Tracker survey results
Global Action Plan and their partners Opinium commission a Clean Air Public Insight Tracker to gauge public awareness, attitudes, and behaviour changes in relation to air quality. In June 2021, 2022, 2023, and September 2024, 2,000 adults were asked a series of questions which included four questions related to air pollution and nature.
The data from 2021 to 2024 were analysed using RStudio. No significant difference (p = < 0.05) were found between the UK’s four countries, regions, or age groups; however, significant differences were found over time and between genders regarding knowledge of lichens as indicators of air pollution.
In this analysis, 'regions' refers to the three countries of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland; with England categorised into the nine regions of North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West.
Note: Data for Northern Ireland was excluded from the dataset for all years 2021 to 2024 for the country and region analyses that included 2024 data as the 2024 sample size was below 50, which makes the data unreliable for statistical analysis.
It is difficult to attribute statistical change to a specific cause. We will keep updating the analysis when we receive further data from subsequent surveys.
The graphic below displays the key results and changes in the Clean Air Public Insight Tracker for 2021 to 2024.
The Clean Air Day key results graphic can also be downloaded in PDF format.
The full results are displayed in the table below (Table 1).
Table 1: The results from the 2024 survey and trends from 2021 to 2024 about public awareness and opinion about the effects of air pollution on nature. Values presented are percentages derived from the raw data unless otherwise specified.
|
Categories |
Knowledge that air pollution affects nature |
Concern that air pollution affects nature |
Importance placed on reducing air pollution |
Knowledge that lichens are indicators of air pollution |
|
Clean Air Day awareness 2024 |
80% of respondents are aware of Clean Air Day and have a lot of knowledge that air pollution affects nature, compared to 36% who have not heard of Clean Air Day |
62% of respondents are aware of Clean Air Day and are concerned that air pollution affects nature, compared to 40% who have not heard of Clean Air Day |
79% of respondents are aware of Clean Air Day and place high importance on reducing air pollution because it affects nature, compared to 71% who have not heard of Clean Air Day |
47% of respondents are aware of Clean Air Day and are aware that lichens are indicators of air pollution compared to 27% who have not heard of Clean Air Day |
|
Gender 2024 |
50% of males know that air pollution affects nature, compared to 43% of females |
48% of females are concerned that air pollution affects nature, compared to 43% of males |
75% of females place high importance on reducing air pollution because it affects nature, compared to 70% of males |
34% of males know that lichens are indicators of air pollution, compared to 30% of females * |
|
Age 2024 |
58% of 18 to 34 year olds compared to 47% of 35 to 54 year olds and 39% of 55+ year olds, indicating young people had greater knowledge that air pollution affects nature |
Concern remained consistent between age groups at 45% to 46% |
Importance remained high across age groups and ranged between 71% and 74% |
Knowledge of lichens was slightly higher in 36% in 18 to 34 year olds, compared to 30% of 35 to 54 year olds and 31% of 55+ year olds, indicating young people had greater knowledge that lichens are indicators of air pollution |
|
Regions of England 2024** *** |
Knowledge was highest in London at 60%, the second highest in the East of England at 53%, and lowest in the South East at 38%. Knowledge was similar, between 45% and 47% in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humberside, East Midlands, West Midlands and the South West |
Concern was highest in the West Midlands at 50% and lowest in the East Midlands at 38%. Concern was similar, between 43% and 48% in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humberside, London, East of England, the South East and the South West |
Importance was highest in the North East at 81% and lowest in the East Midlands at 70%. Importance was similar, between 71% and 74% in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humberside, West Midlands, London, East of England, the South East and the South West |
Knowledge of lichens was highest in East Midlands, East of England and South West at 37% and lowest in the North East at 24% and West Midlands at 25%. Knowledge of Lichens was similar, between 30% and 33% in the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, London and South East |
|
Country 2024 *** |
Knowledge was higher in Northern Ireland at 55% compared to England 47%, Wales 45%, and Scotland 40% |
Concern was similar in Wales at 50% and Northern Ireland at 49% and slightly lower in England at 46%. The least concern being in Scotland at 39% |
Importance remained high and consistent across countries. Scotland 74%, England 73%, Northern Ireland 72% and Wales at 71% |
Knowledge of lichens varied, the greatest knowledge was found in Wales at 40%, followed by similar results in England at 32% and Scotland and 31%. Northern Ireland had the lowest at 24% |
|
Overall trend of the median over time 2021 to 2024 *** |
Knowledge increased from 41% in 2021 to 61% in 2023*, then decreased to 45% in 2024* |
Concern increased from 42% in 2021 to 59% in 2023*, then decreased to 47% in 2024* |
Importance remained high but decreasing slightly year on year from 80% in 2021 to 72% in 2024* |
Knowledge of lichens remained similar overtime with the lowest being 2024 with 31% and the highest responses in 2023 at 37% |
*denotes significant differences between medians
** see the Country 2024 row of the table for the UK country data. The Region 2024 row contains the results for the regions of England.
*** Northern Ireland has been excluded from statistical analysis of region and country data due to a small sample size.
What is air pollution?
Air pollution is the presence (or introduction) of a substance in the air which has harmful effects.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3) are pollutants which come from sources such as transport, power stations, industry, farm fertilisers and livestock.
These gases are the reactive forms of nitrogen and are different from the non-reactive nitrogen gas (N2) that we breath and is widely present in the atmosphere. These pollutants have effects on human health and nature.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) has historically been a huge contributor to air pollution. SO2 is emitted from coal burning and contributed to the London smog in 1952. Due to declines in coal burning and restrictions on sulphur content of other fuels emissions have fallen by 97% since 1970.
SO2 reacts with NOx and NH3 in the atmosphere to form Particulate Matter, which has serious health implications.
Particulate matter and ozone occur when pollutants react together in the air and are known as secondary pollutants.
How does air pollution affect nature?
Nitrogen (either NOx or NH3) which has been emitted is deposited back into the environment either directly from the air (dry deposition) or in rain (wet deposition). The effects of these pollutants on human health are well documented and public awareness is increasing.
However, air pollution can also have a devastating effect on biodiversity. There are several ways these pollutants can affect habitats. High NH3 concentration in the air can cause necrosis (cell death), growth reduction or stimulation and increased frost sensitivity in plants. Nitrogen deposition can alter the soil pH and increase nutrient availability.
Visual effects of air pollution on habitats and species
Increasing nitrogen in habitats such as bogs and calcareous grasslands, which have adapted to low nutrient availability, means that some quick growing, nitrogen loving plant species such as nettles (Urtica dioica) and cleavers (Galium aparine) can thrive. Most wildflowers, such as harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), fairy flax (Linum catharticum) and bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) require low or medium nitrogen levels. When these nitrogen sensitive species are out competed, they may be lost altogether from that habitat reducing biodiversity.
Lichens and bryophytes are particularly sensitive to air pollution as they get their nutrients from the air, rather than roots. This makes them good indicator species and can be useful for studying changes to the environment.
What is being done to address air pollution?
Did you know every UK country has mentioned effects of air pollution on habitats and wildlife in their strategies to tackle air pollution?
Each devolved administration (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) has their own country-level strategies for biodiversity and the environment that outline the ways in which the targets for air pollution reduction will be met. There are different ways to achieve reductions through grant schemes and incentives, legislation, regulation, and best practice guidance.
Evidence, policies and strategies specific to air pollution effects on habitat and wildlife can be found on relevant UK devolved administration and country nature conservation body websites:
- Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Scotland – NatureScot Information Hub
- Wales – Natural Resources Wales Evidence and Data
- England – Natural England Access to Evidence Website
- Defra UK-Air
You can make a difference too!
As with most things, prevention is most effective. Even small reductions in air pollution can have a positive impact on nature and people.
Here are some ways to reduce your air pollution emissions and raise your nature positivity:
- You can offset emissions by planting trees.
- Explore how nature and air pollution interact in your area by finding green corridors or having an air quality lichen hunt.
- Be aware of your energy usage and switch appliances off when not in use to conserve energy.
- Consider low energy consumption appliances when buying home or office equipment by checking the energy label.
- Consider energy suppliers who use renewable energy sources.
- Reduce vehicle emissions by combining errands to reduce the number of trips, turning off the engine when parked, carpooling or using public transportation, walking or cycling to work or school.
To learn about more ways to reduce air pollution to reduce the negative impacts on nature and human health, visit the Clean Air Hub.
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