Copenhagen implements environmental zones to combat air pollution and improve health

Katrine Østerby, who suffers from asthma, is constantly conscious of vehicle emissions while navigating Copenhagen. She needs fresh air and avoids cycling directly behind scooters, opting to maintain distance from exhaust sources for her health. To minimize her exposure, she tends to steer clear of heavily trafficked roads, expressing her relief over recent environmental zones in Denmark’s largest cities, which have slightly improved air quality.

Since October 2023, these zones have banned private diesel vehicles without special particulate filters, leading to a 36% reduction in particulate emissions from traffic in these areas. This translates to an estimated savings of 10 million kroner in healthcare costs for 2024 and a prediction of 56 million kroner in savings through to 2035, as the impact of these zones diminishes with the transition to electric vehicles. However, even with this reduction, Østerby has not felt significant relief in her asthma symptoms, noting that many other pollutants, including those from wood-burning stoves and agriculture, still plague the city’s air.

Despite these challenges, Anne Holma Hansen, director of Astma-Allergi Danmark, views the implementation of environmental zones as a positive step, recognizing their importance for asthma sufferers. While acknowledging that the zones may not drastically reduce premature deaths, she underscores the necessity of taking initial steps toward improving air quality for public health.

Denmark currently meets national air quality standards, but does not align with WHO recommendations for particulate pollution. Østerby emphasizes the vital need for healthier air in urban environments, advocating for solutions that keep residents in cities like Copenhagen without compromising their health.