Air quality

Ricardo are working with cities and local authorities around the world to deliver improvements in air quality where it matters most. Our experts can provide the evidence and analysis needed to develop robust policy and actions.

Air quality

Services

From policy support to meet national and international obligations, evidence-based advice and modelling, through to detailed technical solutions – our unique expertise spanning over 60 years helps governments, organisations and businesses around the world to understand, manage and protect the air we breathe.

Air quality measurements

Providing you with a comprehensive understanding of your emissions, identifying and quantifying the key sources, and offering expert interpretation and advice.

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Monitoring, modelling and forecasting for effective air quality management.

Modelling and forecasting

Professional training in a range of areas enabling you to build capacity and improve your skills set in all aspects of air quality management and delivery.

Training and capacity building
Air quality

Markets

Robust measures to improve air quality and mitigate carbon emissions

We take an integrated approach, working to identify a range of complementary measures that not only solve air quality problems but help mitigate carbon emissions and ensure a vibrant and liveable city for your residents.

This approach underpins our work with cities in developing Air Quality Action Plans, Clean Air Zones, Low Emission Zones and more recently, the world's first zero emission zone. 

Using both monitoring and emissions inventory expertise to understand where and what is causing the air pollution problem in terms of key sources and activities.

Building on our knowledge of mitigation measures and working with key local stakeholders both in the city authority and key business, such as transport operators, we explore what plans and policies are in place and what additional solutions could be implemented.

Using our modelling tools we can then assess the impact of these measures on emissions, both air pollution and climate related, to understand the impact they will have individually and as packages. This assessment may also draw on existing transport models to better understand transport responses to measures.

Building on the emissions results, we will carry out a cost benefit analysis to understand which packages of measures provide the greatest overall social benefit. As part of this process, we look at how the benefits and costs are distributed across different social/stakeholder groups to ensure an equitable solution is generated.

Covering how solutions are procured, public and stakeholder engagement activities, financing opportunities and delivery timescales.

Ricardo provides professional training in a range of areas, enabling you to build capacity and improve your skills set in all aspects of air quality management and delivery. Training programmes include:

EMAQ+ air quality management

Our EMAQ+ programme provides training and technical guidance for Air Quality Management professionals who have responsibilities, under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and related regulations, to monitor ambient concentrations of air pollutants, review air quality, assess whether remedial action is required, designate air quality management areas, put in place actions plans, and provide air quality information to the public. Ricardo have been supporting and training Local Authorities through EMAQ+ since 1994.

Openair training

Ricardo’s openair training courses offer users practical training on how to approach data analysis; the best tools and techniques to use to yield the most insight; and how to critically review and interpret data in a meaningful way.

Ricardo Ai Action Urban 002

Discover our case studies

Feasibility study to support Bradford Clean Air Zone

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Improving air quality in seven cities in Asia

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Assessing the impacts of Clean Transport Zones in Warsaw

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Air quality Resources

Enabling procurement of zero emission fleet for Latvia - Ricardo Leading Lights Award for Peter-Paul Frielink

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UK Government awards funding for place-based decarbonisation plans to Shoreham Port Industrial Cluster

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Ricardo air quality expert among group of new aviation ambassadors chosen by UK Government

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Ricardo experts’ innovative research recognised in Leading Lights Paper of the Year Award

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Meet the experts

Beth Conlan

Beth Conlan

Modelling, Mapping & Assessments Business Manager

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Guy Hitchcock

Guy Hitchcock

Technical Director - Low Emission Strategies

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Wingard Ella B&W

Ella Wingard

Air Quality Consultant

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