· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Paris has recorded a dramatic drop in air pollution after two decades of policies aimed at reducing car traffic
• According to AIRPARIF, nitrogen dioxide levels have fallen by 50% and PM2.5 levels by 55% since 2005
• These improvements coincide with the city eliminating 50,000 parking spaces, banning high-emission vehicles, and redesigning major roads into green and pedestrian spaces
🔭 The context: Under Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s leadership since 2014, Paris has aggressively pursued a sustainable urban vision
• Measures have included expanding bike infrastructure, pedestrianising major boulevards, and implementing congestion controls
• Despite criticism from commuters and car owner groups, the city has continued to push forward, most recently through a referendum to pedestrianise 500 more streets
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Paris's experience demonstrates the tangible environmental and health benefits of urban decarbonisation policies
• Cutting PM2.5 and NO₂—both linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases—illustrates how city-level regulation can lead to measurable air quality improvements
• The transformation offers a blueprint for other global cities tackling pollution and climate impacts
⏭️ What's next: Paris is expected to continue expanding its low-emission infrastructure, with rising fees on high-polluting vehicles and further pedestrian zones planned
• The success of these efforts may influence broader EU urban policy, particularly as cities prepare for stricter emissions targets and resilience strategies in the face of climate change
💬 One quote: “Paris has developed an urban policy based on well-being,” - Carlos Moreno, professor at the Sorbonne and former city adviser
📈 One stat: Since 2005, nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 levels in Paris have declined by 50% and 55% respectively, according to AIRPARIF
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