Air pollution emissions inequality in England

Air pollution inequality is a global problem, affecting millions across the world. This work evaluates socioeconomic and ethnic inequality in both NOx and PM2.5 emissions in England. Significant socioeconomic disparities in emissions are shown, with the most deprived areas experiencing 160% higher NOx emissions then the least deprived in 2019. All major emission sources were shown to contribute to this inequality, which exists in both rural and urban areas, within regions and between them.
Minoritised ethnic groups are shown to experience higher emissions than the majority white ethnic group. This disparity is higher than the deprivation based emissions disadvantage faced due to socioeconomic inequality. The highest NOx disparities were experienced by Chinese, Arab and Bangladeshi, with weighted emissions 100%, 91% and 89% higher respectively. For PM2.5 the highest disparities were experienced by Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Roma groups, who experienced on average 40%, 40%, 36% higher emissions. Minoritised white ethnic groups such as Roma and Gypsy or Irish Traveller, grouped under White in the census, were identified as facing an emissions disparity, highlighting that recognising these groups is a vital environmental justice issue.
The change in socioeconomic and ethnic emissions inequality in the period 2005-2022 was studied. Total emissions of both NOx and PM2.5 saw significant reductions in this period (44% and 31% respectively). Socioeconomic inequality decreased, with the relative disparity between the most and least deprived quintiles falling from 150% to 110% for NOx and 130% to 90% for PM2.5, with absolute inequality also decreasing. The absolute and relative inequality in PM2.5 emissions fell for all minoritised ethnic groups, and whilst absolute NOx emissions inequality fell for all groups, the relative inequality faced by some minoritised ethnic groups increased. Also shown was the decreasing contribution of road transport emissions to total emissions and emissions inequality as a result of large emissions reductions.