Greater consideration must be given to the links between climate change and air quality pollutants, a report has concluded.

Air quality in the UK has improved considerably in recent years as emissions of pollutants have been cut thanks to legislation and technological advances.

However, the impacts of pollution controls on climate change and how climate change will affect air quality in the future is still uncertain.

That is why the British government commissioned the Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) to look into this issue.

The AQEG study found that air quality pollutants, such as particulate matter and ozone, can influence global warming.

Control of the gases that lead to the formation of particulate matter and ozone can therefore affect both air quality and climate change, the report added.

Current international climate change policies do not recognise these impacts, the AQEQ warned.

According to the report, hot summers like the 2003 heatwave are likely to become the norm by 2040, leading to increased summer smogs unless emissions affecting ozone concentrations are substantially reduced.

Episodes of winter smog, by contrast, are likely to be less prevalent.

"It is essential that the interlinkages between emissions of air quality and climate change pollutants are recognised in assessments of the impacts of policies and developments for industry, transport and housing," the report said.

"Most measures that lead to a reduction in demand or an improvement in the efficiency of an activity or product, benefit both air quality and climate change. Such measures should be actively promoted."

Professor Mike Pilling, AQEG chairman, said: "The report draws together the most up-to-date research on the linkages between climate change and air quality.

"It examines the scientific background to these interactions and identifies synergies, where measures to improve air quality can help to tackle climate change, and trade-offs where policy measures in the two areas act in opposition.

"I hope this report is a useful contribution to this important policy area."

The article UK study calls for wider climate change fight originally appeared on 999 Today