Highlights from the Air Quality & Emissions Expo

At Redmore Environmental, we are committed to understanding and addressing the complex challenges posed by air quality and climate change. Recently, we attended the Air Quality & Emissions Expo, where experts shared insights on the intersection of environmental health, emissions management, and urban resilience. The event highlighted something that has long been at the forefront of our thinking: climate and air quality are deeply interconnected, and addressing one without the other simply isn’t enough. The discussion reinforced that environmental challenges should not be treated in isolation, human health, urban planning, and climate resilience are all closely linked

One of the key insights from the event was the impact of pollutants such as black carbon, methane, and ozone. These substances don’t just pose risks to human health, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, they also accelerate climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This dual effect emphasizes the urgent need for solutions that simultaneously target air quality improvement and climate mitigation.

A particularly interesting point discussed was the use of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide ratio to monitor emissions. This metric not only indicates how efficient or clean a combustion process is but also provides critical information about CO releases, which are directly harmful to people. It’s a simple, yet powerful example of how monitoring strategies can deliver benefits for both climate and air quality, demonstrating that integrated approaches can achieve multiple outcomes simultaneously.

Andrew Hagger from Richmond and Wandsworth Council  also shared inspiring examples of how urban planning can enhance air quality while increasing climate resilience. Initiatives such as parklets, ‘cool routes,’ and biodiversity corridors illustrate practical ways cities can reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and support local ecosystems all at the same time. These examples show that creative, multi-functional design can play a central role in addressing environmental challenges.

Our main takeaway from the event is the importance of a holistic approach. By integrating climate and air quality considerations, from emissions monitoring to strategic urban planning, we can create healthier, more resilient communities. At Redmore Environmental, this is exactly the type of work we support through our GHG/Climate Resilience Assessments and Air Quality Assessments.

It was an eye-opening event, and we’re excited to apply these insights to the projects we deliver. For organisations looking to improve their climate and air quality planning, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss how our services can support your goals.

Written by: Ben Walker & Alec Barnett, Air Quality Consultants