LEZ designates urban areas where certain types of vehicles—such as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), delivery vans, buses, taxis, or private cars— must meet specified emission standards to enter freely, or otherwise pay a charge. The design of such zones varies widely, depending on the size of the area, the categories of vehicles targeted, the emission thresholds applied, and the enforcement mechanisms used.
Across Europe, LEZ number has grown by 40% in just three years, with over 500 expected by 2025. When well designed and strictly enforced, such zones can cut nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 40%, while Zero Emission Zones promise even greater impact—up to 95% reductions in traffic-related emissions in cities like Oxford and Amsterdam.
Proven Impact and European Experience
Research consistently shows that well-designed and properly enforced Low Emission Zones can have a measurable impact on air quality. In cities where these schemes are implemented effectively, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels have dropped by up to 40%, with average reductions of around 20% under broader conditions. Zero Emission Zones go even further — in Oxford and Amsterdam, projections suggest traffic-related nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions could fall by more than 95%. The scale of these improvements, however, depends on how quickly the scheme is introduced, how fast the vehicle fleet is renewed, and how much of it is covered by the regulation.
London remains one of Europe’s most closely studied examples. Introduced in 2008, the city’s Low Emission Zone — followed by the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, and expanded city-wide in 2023 — has delivered significant results. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀) have fallen by nearly 10%, while NO₂ levels in central areas dropped by more than 20%. The scheme is estimated to have reduced public health costs and workplace absences by nearly 19%. Despite early criticism, especially during the outer-borough expansion, sustained communication and strong evidence of health benefits have helped maintain public support.
In Milan, the “Ecopass” system launched in 2008 later evolved into Area C, a combined congestion and low-emission zone introduced in 2012. The initiative reduced vehicle entries to the city centre by around 30%, improved bus speeds, and cut pollution levels. Public acceptance in Milan was strengthened through transparent monitoring, gradual tightening of rules, and exemptions for residents — a model of adaptation and engagement that other cities have since followed.
Similar patterns have emerged in Madrid, Brussels, Berlin, and Stockholm, where LEZs have reduced NO₂ and particulate pollution by 10–40%, depending on the design and enforcement. The key lesson across Europe is clear: measurable success depends not only on regulation, but on communication, monitoring, and complementary investments in public transport, cycling, and cleaner fleets.
Photo by Taras Shuliakevych on Unsplash
Photo by Masood Aslami on Unsplash
From Local Examples to Regional Momentum
Low Emission Zones not only cut harmful pollutants and improve public health, but can also generate revenue that supports broader sustainability goals. In London, proceeds from the Ultra Low Emission Zone are reinvested in public transport expansion, while Milan channels income from Area C into sustainable mobility projects.
Across the Baltics, similar mechanisms are beginning to take shape. In Latvia, Jūrmala introduced a paid-entry regime as early as 1996—originally to limit transit traffic and reduce vehicle pressure during the tourist season. Over time, the system evolved into a year-round environmental measure aimed at reducing air pollution, noise, and overall congestion. The daily entry fee, raised from €2 to €3 in 2024 and set to increase to €5 from September 2025, reflects a growing recognition of its role in managing traffic and protecting the resort’s air quality.
In Lithuania, Kaunas has taken a decisive step toward permanent implementation. As of August 2024, its “reduced pollution zone” in the Old Town and central areas now operates continuously, with a €2 charge for each vehicle entry. Exemptions apply to electric vehicles, motorcycles, residents, and people with disabilities. Automatic number-plate recognition enforces access across 11 entry points, and drivers must pay within seven days. Early data indicate a 25 percent drop in traffic volumes and gradually improving public acceptance as the system becomes part of daily routine.
T. Biliūnas / BNS
In Riga, the idea of establishing an LEZ first appeared in the city’s Air Quality Plan 2015–2019, identified as a potential long-term solution to nitrogen-dioxide and particulate-matter exceedances. Subsequent studies by PwC and EY examined the economic, legal, and technical feasibility, modelling emission reductions and implementation scenarios.
Presented publicly in September 2025, the findings confirmed that an LEZ could significantly lower traffic-related pollution, improve public health, and align Riga with EU clean-air standards—while also encouraging fleet renewal and reinvestment in sustainable mobility. The next step lies with Riga City Council, whose upcoming vote will determine how and when the initiative moves forward.
An integral part of the city’s life
Across Europe, Low Emission Zones are no longer experimental — they are becoming a defining feature of modern urban policy. From London and Milan to Kaunas and Jūrmala, the evidence is clear:
when designed transparently and enforced fairly, these schemes can reshape mobility, improve public health, and create lasting environmental and economic value.
For Riga, the discussion around a potential LEZ represents more than an environmental measure — it is a question of urban direction. Clean air policies touch every aspect of city life, from transport and tourism to health and housing. The challenge lies not only in implementation, but in communication, fairness, and ensuring that the transition supports residents rather than excludes them.
If Riga takes this step with ambition and clarity, the city could join the growing network of European capitals proving that cleaner air and better urban life are inseparable goals. The path forward will require political courage, consistent engagement, and a vision of a city where sustainability is not a slogan, but a lived experience.
