Cleaner and greener: Wakefield carbon emissions down five per cent during lockdown

The quantity of some air pollutants has been reduced significantly since late March.

Fewer cars on the road and less industrial activity have contributed to the cut, which has been reported by the district's air quality stations.

Nitrogen dioxide, a brown gas which comes from vehicle engines, is down 28 per cent since late March, while other pollutants are down by 20 per cent.

Although more complete figures will emerge later in the year, the news comes as Wakefield Council says home working is likely to be a permanent arrangement for many of its workforce after the pandemic is over.

Councillor Hemingway said it would be a "terrible mistake" to sideline the green agenda during the current recession.

Deputy leader Councillor Jack Hemingway, who is leading the authority's charge to become carbon neutral, said: "You can tell the air quality around Wakefield has got cleaner I think.

"You notice it when you're walking round. You can see the stars a bit better on a night.

"We've seen a different way of working during the pandemic and council staff have adapted brilliantly.

"We've had far fewer vehicle journeys taking place.

"Part of the climate change action plan we're putting together will be looking at the lessons we've learnt from COVID and seeing what we can apply going forward."

Coun Hemingway said a new working-from-home culture could also save the taxpayer money, as it would cut staff expenses and fuel bills at council buildings.

And he said it would be a "terrible mistake" if the green agenda was sidelined during the global recession the world is facing.

Wakefield Council has already said it will stick to its 2030 carbon neutral pledge, despite uncertainty over whether the government will help local authorities with their finances.

"When the COVID crisis ends, we'll still be left with a climate emergency," Coun Hemingway said.

"We have to take action. Scientists are saying 10 years is all we've got to prevent irreversible climate change.

"We have a chance to make Wakefield, a cleaner, greener and better place to live and that will improve people's quality of life.

"Even though it will cost money, it will be worth it."

Local Democracy Reporting Service