Objectives and monitoring
We will monitor and evaluate the LEZ against objectives which were agreed by the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee. LEZ objectives are to
- contribute towards meeting the air quality objectives prescribed under Section 87(1) of the Environment Act (1995)
- contribute towards reduction of emissions in fulfilment of Part 1 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
- minimise the impact from traffic displacement across the city’s transport network, related to LEZ scheme
- strategically align with Council sustainable transport, active travel and placemaking objectives
- strategically align with national funding provision policies, supporting individual and business adaptation.
Monitoring
LEZ behaviour change studies
- June 2022 report summarises perspectives towards LEZ, from a representative sample of 600 drivers interviewed in Edinburgh (Author: Progressive)
- June 2023 report repeats the survey from 2022 and includes an additional representative sample of van drivers in Edinburgh (Author: Progressive)
- April 2024 report repeats the survey for individual drivers in 2022 and 2023. (Author: Progressive)
- April 2025 research paper Travel behaviour and Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone: a cross-sectional survey (Author: Institute of Occupational Medicine)
LEZ compliance rates
SEPA's report for 2016 to 2022 summarises a six year summary of fleet compliance rates, including compliance by vehicle type and car fuel type.
External air quality data and guidance
Check the latest air pollution and quality levels in Scotland and the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines 2021.