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Edinburgh Lez penalties fund council projects
After meeting the scheme’s operating costs, any surplus income from low emission zone enforcement must be used towards achieving the scheme’s wider objectives.
At a glance
Who: City of Edinburgh Council.
What: Following the first year of low emission zone (Lez) enforcement in Edinburgh, around £793,000 of surplus income is set to be used on a range of initiatives. Projects include research to support businesses on air quality issues and engagement activities with schools on air pollution and climate change.
Why: After meeting the scheme’s operating costs, any surplus Lez income must be used towards the scheme’s wider objectives.
When: A Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) was introduced in Edinburgh on 31 May 2022.
The City of Edinburgh Council has announced that following the first year of low emission zone (Lez) enforcement, around £793,000 of surplus income is set to be used on a range of initiatives.
After meeting the scheme’s operating costs, any surplus Lez income must be used towards the scheme’s wider objectives.
Climate change emission reduction
The Transport and Environment Committee agreed in August 2024 that surplus income would be used to fund citywide council projects which contribute to air quality and/or climate change emission reduction. The committee also agreed that special consideration should be made to projects in areas bordering the Lez.
Some of the projects which funding is being allocated to include:
- Supporting the delivery of the city’s 7-7-7 bus lane trial
- Delivering traffic sensors to improve network data intelligence and monitoring
- Research to support businesses on air quality issues
- Engagement activities with local schools on air pollution and climate change
- Measures to tackle engine idling.
Analysis for the council’s most recent Air Quality Annual Progress Report (APR) shows a consistent downward trend in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations across both city centre and residential sites.
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) also published a study, indicating that active travel and public transport use increased within the Lez during the first six months after Lez enforcement. In addition, footfall data gathered from 2021 to 2025 shows that walking as a mode of travel in the city centre has increased.
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Meanwhile, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) is preparing a separate report with a nationally updated model for the Lez, which will include updated traffic and air quality information for Edinburgh.
“This report underlines the real progress that’s been made since Lez enforcement began. I have no doubt that this new revenue will unlock many new and exciting projects which will benefit residents across the city,” said councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport and environment convener.
“As Scotland’s capital city, we have a core responsibility to combat the climate and nature emergencies. Fundamentally though, the Lez is about making our city healthier for everyone.”
“This report underlines the real progress that’s been made since Lez enforcement began. I have no doubt that this new revenue will unlock many new and exciting projects which will benefit residents across the city”
Jenkinson added: “Multiple studies show that even low levels of pollution can have an impact on our health, with road traffic being one of the main sources of harmful emissions. We’ll continue to encourage people to use active travel and public transport wherever possible, whilst reducing their car use and considering lower polluting vehicles.
"Our commitment to this can be seen in new developments like the trial cycle hire scheme along with projects under our City Mobility Plan, giving our residents greater choice and creating a better city for us all.”
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How will surplus LEZ income improve air quality in Edinburgh?What methods are used to monitor traffic and pollution data?How does the LEZ encourage active travel and public transport use?Which projects target engine idling reduction within the LEZ area?How are schools engaged in education about air pollution and climate?air qualityclimate actionClimate change/ResiliencecongestionEdinburghEnergy & EnvironmentGovernance and CitizenRoad
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