Air quality reports

Air quality in the city is reviewed and assessed at regular intervals in accordance with statutory requirements. The Council’s Air Quality Annual Progress Report 2023 is the most recent review of air quality in Aberdeen. You can download this, as well as older air quality assessment reports, AQMA maps and related projects below.

A Real Time Driving Emission Performance study was carried out across 6 sites in Aberdeen in April 2015. Emissions from over 24,000 cars, taxis, buses, vans and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) were tested. Diesel vehicle NOx (nitrous oxide) significantly underperformed compared to manufacture test data with diesel cars and vans contributing the most NO2. In general there was little difference in emissions from Euro 3,4, and 5 diesel cars across all manufacturers. While Euro 6 car emissions were roughly half Euro 5, levels still significantly exceeded the permitted standards across all manufacturers. The report will help support the development of measures to improve air quality in Aberdeen, particularly the 3 Air Quality Management Areas.