Briefing

No going back: European public opinion on air pollution in the Covid-19 era

June 10, 2020

Transport and Environment (T&E) and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) decided to gauge public opinion on air pollution and mobility choices as lockdown measures ease and cities confront a commuter challenge.

  • Roughly two in three people (64%) surveyed do not want to go back to pre-pandemic pollution levels as they experienced good clean air.

  • Three quarters (74%) demand protection from air pollution, even if it means reallocating public space.

  • Two in three (68%) demand protection from air pollution, even if it means preventing polluting cars entering city centres.

  • One in five (21%) plan to cycle more; one in three (35%) to walk more after lockdown.

  • Among people who used public transport before the lockdown, 54% will return to use this mode if sufficient hygiene measures are taken. 27% will return regardless of the risk of contagion.

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