Environment & air quality
Environment & climate in London
Cleaner air, recycling that works, greener streets and a city aiming for net zero. Some of this is city-wide, run by the Mayor and Transport for London; much of it happens on your street, run by your borough. Here is where to act.
Ref · LDN-ENVIRONMENT · Updated 2026-07-19
London's environment is shaped at two levels. The Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority set the citywide strategy — on air quality, climate, waste and green infrastructure — through the environment and climate change programme. Your borough council delivers the day-to-day services on the ground: your bin collections, your local parks, street trees and reuse centres. This page brings both together so you can find the right place for whatever you need to do.
Air quality and ULEZ
Air pollution is one of London's biggest environmental health challenges, linked to breathing and heart conditions. The main tool for cleaning up road traffic is the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which charges the most polluting vehicles a daily fee to drive in London and now covers all London boroughs. Fewer high-emission vehicles means lower levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution. The Mayor also publishes air quality forecasts and issues alerts on high-pollution days. Check your vehicle and pay on the official TfL service, and read the wider strategy through the GLA.
Environment & climate change at the GLA →
Recycling and waste
Recycling, rubbish and street cleaning are run by your local council, and the rules differ from borough to borough — what goes in which bin, your collection days, and how to get rid of larger items are all set locally. Find your council to check exactly what it collects, book a bulky waste collection for furniture or appliances, or find your nearest reuse and recycling centre. Reducing what you throw away in the first place, and reusing where you can, cuts waste before it needs collecting.
- Your postcode, to find the right borough
- Your collection day and the materials your council accepts
- A booking for bulky items or a trip to a recycling centre for the rest
Find your council for recycling →
Green spaces and the National Park City
Almost half of London is green or blue space — parks, commons, gardens, rivers and canals. In 2019 London was declared the world's first National Park City, a citywide movement backed by the Mayor to make the capital greener, healthier and wilder, and to help more people enjoy the outdoors. From the eight Royal Parks to your local common, these spaces cool the city, soak up rainwater, support wildlife and give millions of people somewhere to breathe. Many are cared for by boroughs, some by the Royal Parks and other bodies.
Green city
London is the world's first National Park City. Nearly half of it is green or blue space, from the Royal Parks to your local common and the River Thames.
Climate and net zero
The Mayor of London has set a goal for London to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030. Reaching it means cutting emissions from transport, homes and buildings, expanding clean energy and retrofitting older properties, greening more of the city and reducing waste. The environment and climate change programme sets out the strategy and the schemes that support it — from warmer, cheaper-to-run homes to cleaner transport and more trees. Residents, businesses and boroughs all have a part to play.
Note: This portal links to official services. government.london does not run collections, manage parks or take payments — your borough and the GLA do.
Common questions
How does ULEZ improve London's air quality?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone charges the most polluting vehicles a daily fee to drive in London, which encourages older, dirtier vehicles off the road or to be upgraded to cleaner ones. Fewer high-emission vehicles means lower levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution, which are linked to breathing and heart conditions. The zone now covers all London boroughs.
How do I find out what I can recycle where I live?
Recycling and waste collections are run by your local council, and the rules differ from borough to borough. Find your council and check its recycling or bins pages to see which materials go in which bin, your collection days, and how to book a bulky waste collection or use a reuse and recycling centre.
What is the London National Park City?
London was declared the world's first National Park City in 2019. It is a citywide movement, backed by the Mayor, to make London greener, healthier and wilder — protecting parks, rivers, gardens and street trees, and helping more people enjoy the outdoors. Almost half of London is already green or blue space.
What is the Mayor's net-zero target for London?
The Mayor of London has set a goal for London to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030. Meeting it means cutting emissions from transport, homes and buildings, expanding clean energy and retrofitting, and reducing waste. The environment and climate change programme on london.gov.uk sets out the strategy and the schemes that support it.
This is an information page. Air quality and climate strategy come from the GLA, ULEZ from TfL, and recycling and waste from your borough.
Continue to the GLA →Most-used environment tasks
The things Londoners handle most often. Each one opens the official service.