London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

The London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) is a database with information on emissions from all sources of air pollutants in the Greater London area.

LAEI 2006

The current LAEI ('LAEI 2006') includes emissions data for the base year 2006 and projection for years 2010 and 2015.

The GLA provides the LAEI to London boroughs free of charge, as part of assisting London boroughs to implement their air quality work. To other users, the GLA charges £15 in line with the GLA publications scheme. Please contact us for more information.

Background

The Mayor has a role in providing strategic data and information to help London boroughs and developers assess the air quality effects of their proposals. The LAEI is a database that holds geographically referenced datasets of emission sources, pollutants and estimates of the quantity of these pollutants emitted into London's atmosphere. The LAEI covers a total area of 2,466 km². The emission estimates in the LAEI are predominantly based on emission factors and activity data estimated or measured for the base year. Projected emissions for future years are also available in the LAEI.

The LAEI includes detailed emission information on eight key pollutants from the National Air Quality Strategy:

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC)
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Benzene
1,3-butadiene
Particulate Matter less than 10 micrometres (µm) aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀)

The LAEI also has data on black smoke, methane (CH₄), total suspended particulates, particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres (µm) aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These emissions data are provided on a road link basis for the major roads carrying most of traffic in London and on a point-by-point basis for regulated industrial processes and oil-fired boilers. Other sources, including emissions from domestic and commercial gas use, minor roads, airport, rail and shipping, are given on a 1km x 1km grid square basis. The LAEI also includes data from large industrial sources outside London, which may impact upon London's air quality.

Earlier LAEI reports

LAEI 2004

The previous LAEI ('LAEI 2004') includes emissions data for the base year 2004 and projection year 2010. The London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory 2004 Report provides information on the background, datasets, data sources, emission estimation methods and tabulated summaries of the contents of the LAEI 2004. This also includes estimates of trends in emissions from 2003 to 2004 and 2010 for the first time (emissions in previous versions were not comparable due to improvements in methodology)

LAEI 2004 Full Report PDF (6Mb)
LAEI 2004 Full Report RTF, text only (13Mb), excludes tables and graphics

LAEI 2004 Report Highlights PDF (14.8Mb)
LAEI 2004 Report Highlights RTF, text only (692Kb), excludes tables and graphics

The LAEI 2004 Release Note provides a synopsis of the LAEI 2004.

LAEI 2004 Release Note PDF
LAEI 2004 Release Note RTF (Note: excludes tables and graphics)

Detailed modelling of air quality is carried out on the emissions in the LAEI 2004. Overview maps of annual average air quality in London for various pollutants are available below.

Modelled concentrations of PM10, based on 2004 emissions data PDF
Modelled concentrations of PM10, based on 2010 emissions data PDF
Modelled concentrations of NO2, based on 2004 emissions data PDF
Modelled concentrations of NO2, based on 2010 emissions data PDF