Creating cleaner, healthier city centres
Zero-emission areas limit polluting vehicles from city centres, accelerating the shift to walking, cycling, public transport, and zero-emission vehicles. This approach supports cities to meet their climate, air quality, and public health goals.
The Zero Emission Area Programme supports cities in developing different clean air zone policies. It focuses on the 35 cities committed to establishing major zero-emission areas by 2030 through the C40 Green and Healthy Streets Accelerator.
Cities share implementation strategies, technical guidance, and peer learning on vehicle regulations, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement.
Results from implementing cities
Cities establishing zero-emission areas and clean air zones are achieving significant improvements:
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
By 2024, harmful roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations were 27% lower across London and 54% lower in central London than without ULEZ. The programme reduced nitrogen oxides emissions by 24% and PM2.5 exhaust emissions by 29%[1].
Paris clean air zones
Parisians are breathing significantly cleaner air today than they were a decade ago. Since 2012, nitrogen dioxide has dropped by 40% and PM2.5 particles have decreased by 28%[2].
Seoul’s Green Transport Zone
The introduction of Seoul’s Green Transport Zone reduced the number of high-polluting grade five vehicles circulating in the zone by more than 85% between 2019 and 2025, while total traffic volume also decreased by 13%.
Netherlands’ zero-emission freight zones
In January 2025, 14 Dutch cities introduced zero-emission zones for freight, which saw the sale of light- and medium-duty trucks increase from 7% in Q1 2024 to 80% in Q1 2025[3].
How the programme works
The Zero Emission Area Programme provides cities with support across six focus areas:
Vehicle regulations and access controls
Cities receive guidance on designing vehicle regulation policies, phasing implementation, and managing exemptions while accelerating zero-emission vehicle adoption.
Walking and cycling infrastructure
Cities access strategies for integrating active mobility into zero-emission area design, including protected bike lanes, pedestrian priority zones, and connections to public transport.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Cities receive planning support for charging networks that serve residents, businesses, and visitors within zero-emission areas.
Zero-emission freight solutions
Cities learn approaches for managing goods delivery through e-cargo bikes, microhubs, consolidation centres, and electric commercial vehicle programmes.
Stakeholder engagement and public support
Cities share strategies for building political backing, engaging businesses, addressing equity concerns, and communicating health benefits to residents.
Monitoring and enforcement
Cities exchange approaches for measuring air quality improvements, tracking vehicle compliance, and demonstrating results that justify continued investment.
Peer learning and technical support
Cities in the programme access:
Implementation guidance through the Zero Emission Areas Implementation Guide and technical resources developed from the experiences of leading cities.
Peer learning networks connecting mobility teams across cities to share challenges and solutions.
Political strategies for building public backing, gaining support from businesses and drivers, and communicating the health and economic benefits of cleaner air.
Case studies and data from London, Bogotá, Paris, Milan, Seoul, Copenhagen, and other cities demonstrating what works in different urban contexts.
Related
Cities around the world are decarbonising freight transport through clean delivery systems, electric vehicles, and innovative logistics planning.
The ZEBRA partnership was launched in 2019 to accelerate the deployment of zero emission buses in major Latin American cities.Accelerating the transition to zero-emission buses across Latin America and Africa through city leadership, national government engagement, industry partnerships, and financial investments.
Sources
- [1] https://www.airparif.fr/sites/default/files/document_publication/2012-2022-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9%20aux%20d%C3%A9cideurs_v20250722_english_version_0.pdf
- [2] https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/environment-and-climate-change-publications/london-wide-ultra-low-emission-zone-one-year-report
- [3] https://theicct.org/publication/eu-hdv-market-development-quarterly-jan-mar-2025-may25/