Oxford City Council has approved a new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for 2026–2030, committing the city to a more ambitious target to protect residents’ health and continue Oxford’s clean air journey
Approved at Cabinet on 11 February, the plan sets a new local annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) target of 20 µg/m³ to be achieved across the city by 2030 – or “20 by 30”.
This target aligns with the World Health Organization’s recommendations, as well as the new NO₂ limit set in the latest EU Air Quality Directive.
No safe level of air pollution
The Action Plan re-emphasises the clear message that there is no safe level of air pollution. Even at levels below current national legal limits, air pollution is linked to heart disease, stroke, lung conditions, low birth weight and impacts on brain development. It disproportionately affects children, older people and those in more deprived communities.
Oxford has made significant progress in recent years, with nitrogen dioxide levels in the city falling by 52% since 2014. Since the last AQAP - which set the “30 by 25” target - was published in 2021, NO₂ levels have fallen by a further 25%. In June 2026, the Council will publish its next Air Quality Annual Status Report, which will review air pollution data from the 2025 calendar year and confirm whether the city has fully delivered on its commitment to meet this target. With encouraging progress to date, now is the right moment to raise our ambitions once again.
Continuing the work of the previous plan
The new AQAP builds on the foundational work carried out since 2021, including:
- Roll-out of 159 electric buses
- Expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure – including launching Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub at Redbridge
- Introduction of the world’s first Zero Emission Zone
- Delivery of a citywide Smoke Control Area
- Partnership work through the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership with the city’s biggest employers and institutions
The new “20 by 30” Action Plan, which covers 2026-2030, sets out 30 new targeted actions and measures across four priority areas:
- Promoting active travel and reducing the need to drive
- Accelerating the transition to low and zero emission transport
- Reducing emissions from domestic heating, industry and services
- Raising public awareness and enabling behaviour change
The AQAP has been developed in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, which, as Oxford’s transport authority, has a statutory duty under the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) framework to support the City Council in fulfilling its air quality responsibilities, and has been reviewed and formally signed off by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Strong public support and improved perceptions of Oxford’s air quality
A recent public consultation, which ran for five weeks, received 125 responses from residents, businesses and stakeholders. The consultation shows strong support for the city’s ambition, with 71% of respondents reporting that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with adopting the new 20 µg/m³ target by 2030.
Encouragingly, residents also reported improved perceptions of air quality over the past five years:
- 52% said air quality in the city had improved, with 34% rating it “Excellent” or “Good”
- 29% said space for cycling had improved, with 28% rating it as “Excellent” or “Good”
- 42% said that they felt well-informed about the negative impacts of air pollution on human health – showing the importance of continued engagement and public awareness.
The Air Quality Action Plan 2026–2030 will be subject to annual review, with progress reported each year through the Council’s statutory Air Quality Annual Status Reports.
View the full Air Quality Action Plan and public consultation results here
Comment
“Clean air is not a luxury – it is a basic right. While we have made huge progress over the past decade, we know there is no safe level of air pollution. Even lower levels continue to harm people’s health.
In 2021, Oxford led the way by setting the UK’s first local air pollution reduction target. We are now building on that success by adopting an even more ambitious ‘20 by 30’ target, aligned with WHO guidance as well as the new EU standards.
This Action Plan ensures we continue to go further and faster – protecting residents’ health, reducing inequalities, and creating a cleaner, healthier Oxford for everyone who lives in, works in and visits our city.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Zero Carbon Oxford
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