Scottish Air Quality Advisory Group advice note 2, March 2026
Expert advice from the Air Quality Advisory Group on the potential air quality impacts of policies within Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2026 to 2040.
Are there any major omissions of policies that would also contribute to this overall aim?
Widespread tree planting would help to reduce PM₂.₅ concentrations through increased dry deposition. However, for any type of large-scale afforestation the species mix should be carefully chosen to avoid substantially contributing to VOC emissions. For urban tree planting the uptake of PM₂.₅ needs to be balanced against the potential for trapping of air pollutants in street canyons.
More focus on dust management in construction and demolition, and industrial decarbonisation more generally, would be beneficial.
Microplastics may make an increasing contribution to air pollution in the future; policies targeting this will be of value.