Category: Cities and Local Authorities

City of London Air Quality Data Visualisation

Aether developed an online, interactive data visualisation for the City of London that could be used by policy makers and the general public to explore data and information on air quality. Topics covered include air pollutant emissions, bus fleet emission control technologies and the health impacts of air pollution.

The challenge

The City of London can experience high levels of air pollution, with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter being the two pollutants of most concern. The City Corporation, which governs the City of London, is required by statute to measure air pollution and to develop and implement a plan for improvement as health-based pollutant limits are exceeded. In 2001, the whole of the Square Mile was declared an Air Quality Management area for nitrogen dioxide and small particles (PM10).  This project has provided new access to information for the public to improve their understanding of these issues.

The solution

The City Corporation was undertaking a review of the City of London Air Quality Strategy and wanted to include static visualisations of air quality data and information. Aether created an online, interactive data visualisation from which screenshots could be taken for the Air Quality Strategy. This approach provided not only the static visualisations but also a tool that could be used for engagement with policy makers and the public.

The result

The visualisation that Aether developed can be found here. This tool allows technical and non-technical users to explore the data and information. It can be used for engagement with the public and to aid evidence-based policy making. This tool can be updated and developed in the future to provide an ongoing aid for visualising complex information and drawing key messages on air pollution trends.

See all case studies

Kathryn Hampshire

Principal Consultant

Related case studies

Runnymede Borough Council Climate Change Study

Category: Cities and Local Authorities, Emission Inventories, Policies and Measures

Aether, in partnership with Land Use Consultants (LUC), delivered a package of works to support Runnymede Borough Council’s (RBC) review of the 2030 Local Plan with a view to introducing stronger policies to address the impacts of climate change.

Read case study

Lewisham Route to Neutral

Category: Cities and Local Authorities, Emission Inventories, Policies and Measures

Support to Lewisham Council to define the route to carbon neutral for the Borough

Read case study

Oxford Sustainability Index

Category: Cities and Local Authorities, Policies and Measures

Aether was appointed to develop a Sustainability Index for Oxford, comparing the city’s performance with others.

Read case study

News

Latest news

Posted on: 13 January 2026

Devolved Governments Air Pollutant Emissions Inventories

The air pollutant emissions inventories for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were published in September 2025. The data covers the period 2005 to 2023, for the pollutants ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, and lead. In addition, experimental inventory statistics are presented for emissions of benzo[a]pyrene, dioxins and furans, and mercury.

Read full story

Posted on: 11 December 2025

Aether provided training to strengthen Government of Jersey’s climate policy modelling capacity

Aether completed a project for to train staff in Government of Jersey in using Aether's Carbon Scenario Model to quantify the carbon impacts of net zero policies. The model is a key tool for the Government of Jersey for informing policy decisions on climate actions, and other related policies.

Read full story

Posted on: 6 October 2025

Aether Experts Contribute to IPCC Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers

In the first week of October Richard Claxton and Sergii Shmarin were in Istanbul, contributing as lead authors to the upcoming IPCC Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs). SLCFs - such as black carbon, and other ozone precursors play a critical role in climate change and air quality. The new methodology report will provide essential guidance for countries to improve their emissions inventories and strengthen climate action.

Read full story

Posted on: 1 September 2025

Six new project wins for the land development services team

Aether has recently expanded its Land Development services and secured six new commissions with one of the UK’s top 14 house builders. These projects span from comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments for large-scale residential developments to focused sustainability, energy, and air quality reports for smaller schemes.

Read full story

Testimonial

Don't just take our word for it...

“ A heartfelt thank you to all the Aether team for this very comprehensive review – this is certainly turning out to be one of the most beneficial capacity building projects I have ever been involved in. ”

Saviour Vassallo, Senior Environment Protection Officer, Malta Resources Authority

“ The support provided by Aether for this project was especially remarkable considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tools and methods used in order to engage local stakeholders really added value to the capacity building of the national team. ”

Shanna Emmanuel, Saint Lucia BUR Project Coordinator

“ Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“ Aether's approach to couple innovative visualisation with high expertise manpower delivered valuable insights for our inventory work. ”

Umweltbundesamt (Germany)

“ I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure. ”

UNFCCC Secretariat

“ We have worked with Aether since 2019 to baseline, and subsequently update, our council and borough greenhouse gas inventories. It is a pleasure working with Aether’s professional, responsive, collaborative and helpful team. ”

Merton Council