Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 15h

Some key facts:

Municipalities where ZEZ-F are in place or planned averaged 6.1% electric vans, compared to 1.7% in municipalities without. (In Jan '25)

In the first half of 2025, 78.4% of newly registered vans in the Netherlands were battery-electric - far above the EU average of 8.5%.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 15h

NEW ANALYSIS: Dutch truck/van focused zero-emission zones (ZEZ-f) are working!

Brand new @cleancitiescampaign.org research has found that they're driving a transition to electric fleets in the Netherlands.

Read the full report here: cleancitiescampaign.org/research-lis...

A graph showing that Dutch zero emission zones for freight are driving electric van uptake.

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Reposted by Zak Bond

Zag Daily @zagdaily.com · 6d

London meets legal NO2 limits for the first time - nearly 200 years early.

Read more: zagdaily.com/places/londo...

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Reposted by Zak Bond

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · 8d

Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 8d

London has leapfrogged other UK cities which still have illegal levels of air pollution.

This milestone should embolden the Mayor to take strong action, including delivering his manifesto promise to make London the world’s first electric-vehicle ready global city!

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 8d

🔔London meets clean air laws🔔

Great news that London has finally met legal limits for NO2, proving that bold action on dirty air delivers real results.

This is a crucial milestone towards reaching World Health Organization guidelines as soon as possible. 1/

www.london.gov.uk/london-meets...

London meets legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s world leading air pollution policies

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today hailed the success of his bold air quality policies which have led to the capital’s air pollution levels falling to within the legal limit for the first time.

www.london.gov.uk

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 9d

I didn’t know Range Rovers came with a special permit that allows you to park on the pavement, on white zig-zags, with your engine idling - outside a primary school!

Quite the perk!

#carspreading

A Range Rover illegally pavement parked outside a primary school.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 15d

Staring now!

www.youtube.com/live/lJ_js-Q...

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Reposted by Zak Bond

cleancities-france.bsky.social @cleancities-france.bsky.social · 15d

Hier, c'était la #JournéeMondialeSansVoiture 🌱

A 16h15, retrouvez @annehidalgo.bsky.social aux côtés du @drmarianeira.bsky.social (ex-OMS) et de nombreux acteurs de la société civile ( @transportenvironment.org ; @respireasso.bsky.social...) pour une conversation sur la transformation de Paris 👇

Clean Cities @cleancitiescampaign.org · 16d

⏰ Tomorrow’s the day!

Join us at #ClimateWeekNYC for a conversation with Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo & a high-level panel on cities shaping the future.

📅 Tues 23 Sept | 10:15 ET
📍 Midtown Manhattan or via livestream
👉 Register now: cleancitiescampaign.org/clim...

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 16d

Last week @annehidalgo.bsky.social was a University Challenge answer.

This week she’s at #NYClimateWeek, showing how cities can lead on clean, healthy futures with @cleancitiescampaign.org @transportenvironment.org & @respireasso.bsky.social

Livestream: cleancitiescampaign.org/climate-week...

Join us at Climate Week NYC 2025!

This high-level event at Climate Week NYC 2025 will explore how cities can lead the way to cleaner, healthier futures.

cleancitiescampaign.org

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 26d

One lane of vans stuck in traffic.

One lane of cargo bikes flowing freely.

This photo powerfully shows the potential of cargo bikes in our cities.

(📷: Honor Elliott)

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 26d

This year, we wanted London Borough climate leads to feel the joy of the ride too. So we brought the cruise to them!

Huge thanks to Members from across London and across parties who came out to talk, including London Councils' new Executive Member for Climate Change @brendadacres.bsky.social. 3/

A group of london borough climate leads holding posters saying we love cargo bikes in front of a collection of cargo bikes.

The mayor of Lewisham holds a sign saying we love cargo bikes.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 26d

On this year’s cruise, we saw the future in action:

♻️waste collection services
🔧handymen
🥛a milk delivery company
📦delivery firms
⚡electricians
🎤even a mobile stage!

If you're a business working in this space and want to be part of our Electrify London campaign - drop me a message! 2/

A group of people and cargo bikes, with posters saying "We love cargo bikes"

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 26d

🚲🚲🚲 The annual Cargo Bike Cruise in London yesterday - what an afternoon!

Our latest analysis shows that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx pollution in central London. Shifting to cargo bikes is one of the key ways to get those dirty diesels off our streets. 1/

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · 28d

Want to drive innovative campaigns that build public support and political appetite for an emboldened vision of international rail in Europe?

Here's the job for you!

You get to work with brilliant colleagues, at an organisation really making change.

jobs.theguardian.com/job/9799557/...

Rail Campaigns Manager - London (Central), London (Greater) job with TRANSPORT & ENVIRONMENT | 9799557

As a Rail Campaigns Manager, you will be responsible for the development and delivery of innovating campaigns across Europe.

jobs.theguardian.com

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Sep 8

"Central London's 'number one road polluter' named as Congestion Charge plea made to TfL and Mayor"

www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

Central London's 'number one road polluter' named as Congestion Charge plea made

Transport for London and City Hall must keep the exemption afforded to electric vans when it changes its Congestion Charge rules, campaigners have said

www.mylondon.news

Reposted by Zak Bond

Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Sep 1

Diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central London. 🚐💨

Clearly we need to see much more action from both Mayor of London and London Boroughs to tackle the dirty air coming from vans in our city!

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www.thetimes.com/article/bdac...

Vans top table for London’s biggest pollutants as black cabs go green

Taxis were the greatest source of toxic nitrogen oxides six years ago, but the rise of electric hybrids has reduced their emissions

www.thetimes.com

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Reposted by Zak Bond

Adam Vaughan @adamvaughan.bsky.social · Sep 1

Guess the biggest source of NOx road air pollution in central London.

Taxis? Buses? Private cars? Nope, it's now vans.

Once the biggest polluter, taxis have rapidly gone electric. Meanwhile vans fleets are only slowly being electrified.

Story 👇
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Sep 1

Here’s the press release with full details: cleancitiescampaign.org/vans-now-num...

We’ll also be producing a full summary of the interesting new CO2 and air pollution information in the LAEI soon, let me know if you want to receive it!

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Vans now number one road source of dirty air in central London

A new analysis by Clean Cities has found that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central London. Previously taxis had been the worst culprits.

cleancitiescampaign.org

Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Sep 1

This comes from new analysis by us at Clean Cities of the brand new London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.

It also shows that vans are forecast to be the biggest road contributor of NOx in 2030.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Sep 1

Diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central London. 🚐💨

Clearly we need to see much more action from both Mayor of London and London Boroughs to tackle the dirty air coming from vans in our city!

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www.thetimes.com/article/bdac...

Vans top table for London’s biggest pollutants as black cabs go green

Taxis were the greatest source of toxic nitrogen oxides six years ago, but the rise of electric hybrids has reduced their emissions

www.thetimes.com

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Aug 29

Here’s a beast I saw in the tricky terrain of Crouch End this week.

Unnecessary, dangerous, dirty.

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Aug 29

“If we want cities that are safe, breathable and accessible, we have to get serious about tackling the rise of these urban land-hogs” - @olord.bsky.social

#carspreading

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Safety and space at risk as SUVs reach 30% of car market in English cities, researchers warn

Campaigners call for Paris-style parking charges amid fears big vehicles are taking up excessive public space

www.theguardian.com

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Aug 11

Great to talk to BBC London News about TfL's consultation on changes to the congestion charge, which closes today.

The Mayor should continue the 100% congestion charge discount for electric vans run by SMEs and charities.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

BBC London - Lunchtime News: 11/08/2025

The latest news, sport and weather from London.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Zak Bond @zakbond.bsky.social · Jul 29

Getting a proper duty on councils to take climate action was something I worked on at London Councils, so I’m very happy to see @local.gov.uk ‘s new position on this.

Climate Emergency UK @climateemergencyuk.bsky.social · Jul 22

The Local Government Association (@local.gov.uk) has officially endorsed a climate statutory duty for England! 🥳
Read our full response: climateemergency.uk/release-coun...

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