About
Iarla Kilbane-Dawe and associates have led over €100M in programmes in air pollution policy, atmospheric science, sustainable transport, and AI for the environment. Successes include Europe’s first AI-enabled satellite, successfully making the case for low-cost cycle lanes in London, formulating London’s most progressive air pollution limits, and developing UK Government guidance on communicating about air pollution.
Portfolio
Options assessment for 4 streets with positive air pollution trends (2025)
Emissions science Data analytics
One Central London borough has negative NO2 trends everywhere except in 4 streets where the trends remain positive. We conducted onsite inspections of the 4 streets observing traffic patterns and potential causes, and data analysis of diffusion tube and traffic data at these locations. We identified two streets where negative pollution trends were likely to resume, and found probable root causes relating to the traffic mix of the positive pollution trends on the other two. The borough plans to follow these up with detailed studies in Summer 2026.
Diffusion Tube Mapping Package in R (2025)
Data analytics Data & tools
We developed a simple OpenSource R library to create zoomable, animated air pollution maps from tables of measurements, in the form of standalone HTML files, such as this map of an air pollution episode in January 2024 (allow 15 seconds to load). These maps can easily be shared by email or loaded into websites.
Air Quality Action Planning (2024-25)
Policy & planning Political engagement Data analytics
For a London borough, we led full development of the air quality action plan: defining core strategy from data analysis, engaging councillors, officers, and interest groups, and steering the plan through public consultation, committee governance, and final publication.
Air Quality Action Planning (2023-24)
Policy & planning Political engagement
For a London borough, we led development of the air quality action plan from the outcomes of a Citizens’ Assembly, including presenting scientific evidence to the assembly, drafting core text, and managing councillor engagement, governance, and public consultation through to final publication.
Standby generators case study (2024)
Emissions science Data analytics Planning & development
For a central London borough, we worked with the operator of 10 of their major office towers to investigate the impact of standby generators on local air quality. After detailed research into the emissions factors of over 30 generators, some commissioned in the 1970s, and investigating their operational patterns, impacts on borough-wide emissions were extrapolated. Attributable damage costs were calculated per 1MWth for use in negotiations on SIL and s106 charges on developers.
Gross Emitting Vehicles experiment (2023)
Emissions science Expert advisory
A novel roadside air quality sampling technology was investigated to identify possible gross emitting vehicles in the vehicle park. The feasibility of the technology for the application was investigated, including analysis of ultra-high time resolution sample data of real-world vehicle emissions. The study found that the technology applications were most viable in chaser rather than roadside applications.
Bus Retrofit Expert Group (2022-23)
Emissions science Policy & planning Expert advisory
For the DfT/Defra Joint Air Quality Unit we provided scientific advice on the performance of emissions control systems that were implemented during the £100M bus retrofit programme. The work of the group identified critical performance issues with the retrofit programme and led to its abandonment.
Contact
Get in touch to discuss how Parliament Hill Research can support your work in air quality policy, science, or communications.