Pollution
Measuring air quality
Air quality is monitored across Highland in accordance with the UK National Air Quality Strategy. This sets out the government's objectives to improve and protect air quality in the UK.
Local air quality management
Local authorities have to undertake annual air quality reviews of their areas to make sure the National Air Quality Objectives will be achieved. The pollutants that must be assessed by the local authority are:
- Benzene
- Carbon monoxide
- 1,3-butadiene
- Lead
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulphur dioxide
- Fine particles
If the objective for a pollutant is exceeded or predicted to be exceeded by the required date for compliance, the local authority must declare the affected area an Air Quality Management Area. The authority must then draw up and implement an action plan to reduce pollution levels in the specified area.
Highland has one Air Quality Management Area in Inverness City Centre.
Inverness Air Quality Action Plan
Annual reports
- 2024 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2023 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2022 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2021 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2020 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2019 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2018 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2017 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2016 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2015 Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment
- 2014 Detailed Assessment for Inverness City Centre
- 2014 Air Quality Progress Report
- 2013 Air Quality Progress Report