Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been awarded an honorary fellowship by the Faculty of Public Health in recognition of his leadership in addressing poor air quality. This prestigious award

is the highest category of membership within the association and is bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to improving public health.

Professor Kevin Fenton, President of the Faculty of Public Health, commended Khan for his willingness to tackle major challenges in London and improve the health, well-being, and economic productivity of its residents. Khan has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the introduction of hopper fares on buses and trams, the expansion of the congestion charge in terms of cost and coverage, and the forthcoming expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to encompass all of Greater London starting August 29.

Expressing his gratitude, Khan stated that he was honored to receive this recognition on behalf of everyone who has worked diligently in London to enhance air quality, save lives, and reduce health disparities.

While the Ulez expansion plan has faced criticism from the Conservative Party, who argue that it will have minimal impact on air quality while burdening individuals financially during a period of economic strain, experts in air pollution, medical professionals, and environmental organizations maintain that the scheme is a crucial step toward cleaning the capital's air and mitigating pollution-related illnesses and fatalities. Photo by U.S. Embassy London, Wikimedia commons.