AIR quality in Jersey improved last year – with new data showing nitrogen dioxide levels have fallen by up to half since 2000 – although “pollution hotspots” linked to traffic congestion remain.

The government’s 2024 Annual Air Quality Report found that every monitoring site recorded lower nitrogen dioxide levels compared with 2023.

The environment department said the improvement was due to cleaner fuels, more efficient vehicles and a decline in diesel use – but warned that “pollution hotspots” caused by traffic congestion remain, and can “worsen in certain weather conditions.”

The £3,800 study, carried out by environmental consultants Ricardo on behalf of the government, recommended that Jersey’s Air Quality Strategy be updated.

“With ongoing reductions in concentrations and improvements in technology since the Jersey Air Quality Strategy was last published in 2013, now would be a good opportunity to review and potentially update the document,” the report said.

Ricardo also recommended replacing the Island’s current particle monitors with newer, low-cost sensors and creating a new reference site to improve accuracy.

Hydrocarbon levels, including benzene and toluene, remain low – though the report suggests adding a testing point near the La Collette fuel farm to track emissions linked to fuel storage.

The consultants also advised the government to consider introducing vapour-recovery systems at petrol stations “to further reduce VOC emissions from petrol stations and Jersey’s fuel farm.”

Ricardo added that Jersey has made progress since air-quality work was moved to a dedicated scientific team in 2021 – adding that funding “has prioritised the development of the existing air-quality monitoring programme to meet new and existing environmental challenges.”

Responding, Environment Steve Luce said: “This report highlights the continued progress Jersey is making in improving air quality, thanks to long-term monitoring and targeted action.

“We remain committed to building on these results, in line with the objectives set out in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.”

The full report is available on the gov.je website.