Local Air Quality Management

Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) provides the framework under the Environment Order (NI) 2002 within which air quality is managed by Northern Ireland’s local authorities (district councils). LAQM requires district councils to review and assess a range of air pollutants against the objectives set by the Air Quality Strategy, using a range of monitoring, modelling, and other methods. For locations where objectives are not expected to be met by the relevant target date, district councils are required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), and to develop an Action Plan to address the problem.

Use the menu on the right to find out more about:

  • Northern Ireland’s Air Quality Management Areas
  • Smoke Control Areas
  • Tools available to help district councils carry out their LAQM duties
  • District councils’ annual air quality review and assessment reports
  • District councils’ Action Plans