Extension of the Breathe-London air quality network into the Covid-19 post-lockdown and recovery periods

The overarching aim of this proposal is to deliver critical insights into the impacts on air quality following the UK's immediate and medium-term response to the global Coronavirus pandemic using the Breathe-London (BL) air quality network, and to create a unique observational dataset (NO2, NOx, PM and CO2 at 100 London sites) for the next critical periods of the Covid-19 recovery. The urgency stems from the fact that the BL network, which began operation in October 2018, is due to end on July 31st 2020, and the Greater London Authority, due to current constraints, has not yet established a follow-on network. This application responds to the recent decision by the Clean Air Fund (CAF) to extend the operation of the core components of the BL network to the end of November but not the additional network QA/QC or the COVID-19 specific analysis and interpretation activities which are the focus of this proposal (see CAF letter of support). This proposal will exploit this unique opportunity to create a fully validated dataset to the end of April 2021, covering the next phase of the Covid-19 recovery, the recently introduced 2nd lockdown, and the winter and spring period 2020/21. Secondly, it will provide critical additional analysis, including source apportionment and emission index quantification, and data assimilation to improve emission inventories during the recovery phase where unprecedented changes in pollutant sources are occurring. The methodologies and techniques have wide applicability for air quality monitoring, analysis and policy beyond London and would inform similar issues elsewhere in the UK.