Emissions Inventory in London

The London emissions inventory, compiled by the London Research Centre , details the mass of each pollutant emitted into the atmosphere. It summarises this data over time, for example, tonnes of NOx emitted per year and geographically, for example, tonnes of NOx emitted in each of the 24661x1km grids of London. A representation of this is given in the map below:

Total NOx Emissions in London

Pollutants Included in the London Inventory
  • Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx);
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2);
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO);
  • Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOC);
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2);
  • Benzene;
  • 1,3-Butadiene;
  • Particulate PM10;
  • Black Smoke;
  • Methane;
  • Total Suspended Particles (TSP).

    • Source Categories Included in the London Inventory
    The sources of pollution are many and varied but can be grouped into three main categories:

  • Mobile Sources, including road transport;
  • Point Sources, including part A and B processes;
  • Area Sources, including domestic gas combustion.

    • Mobile Sources

  • Road Traffic;
  • Rail Traffic;
  • River Traffic;
  • Aircraft.

    • Point Sources

  • Large Industrial Processes (part a);
  • Small Industrial Processes (part b);
  • Large Boiler Plant.

    • Stationary Sources

  • Gas Combustion (domestic and commercial);
  • Oil Fuel Combustion (domestic and commercial);
  • Coal Combustion (domestic and commercial);
  • Agriculture and Nature;
  • Other.

    • Of all of the emission categories, road traffic is currently the dominant source type. To give an idea of its importance the table below summarises each pollutant and the percentage contribution from road traffic.


    Contribution of Road Traffic to Emissions in London
    Pollutant Percentage Contribution from Road Traffic
    NOx 75
    SO2 23
    CO 97
    CO2 29
    NMVOC 53
    Benzene 83
    1,3-Butadiene 97
    PM10 77

    The London Emissions Inventory has been enhanced by seiph and is used as the basis for the Omni model.