To what extent can issues with urban heat islands be solved

Issues within urban heat islands can be easily solved by the guidance of techniques adhered
to by cities attempting to combat the issue. Techniques such as the ultra-low emission zones
created withing London, pollution reduction policies, mass transit sharing in Manchester
etc.
London ULEZ
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emission standards and isn't exempt, you need to pay
a £12.50 daily charge to drive through the zone. This applies to cars, vans, motorcycles and
specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5
tonnes).
A progress report made in October 2023 has shown that this scheme has been extremely
effective as the number of the most polluting vehicles driven in London has fallen by almost
half with 80,000 older cars off the road. This can therefore have drastic positive effects on
the urban heat island problem as it heavily reduces the amount of CO2 released into the
local atmosphere.
Pollution reduction policies
The government can use three main policies: Tax to raise the price, subsidise alternatives,
changing consumer behaviour.
TAX- The advantage of this scheme is that the government raises substantial revenue which
can further be used to implement or fund other pollution reduction schemes. It also
provides an incentive for other firms to introduce more efficient engines. One drawback is
that the demand may be inelastic and that an increase in petrol tax may do little to reduce
the overall carbon emissions.
ALTERNATIVES- if the government were to introduce alternatives to non-renewable energy
forms then the population may be more swayed to reduce their reliable on these damaging
energy sources. This can reduce the severity of the urban heat island effects due to the lack
of carbon emissions generating a heating result through the greenhouse effect.
CONSUMER- This strategy is to encourage consumers to change their behaviours. For
example, raising awareness for the environmental cost of leaving on heating/air
conditioning. The government could also use ‘nudges’ from behavioural theory to
encourage different behaviour which discourages pollution. For example, signs at schools
‘please turn off the engine’ when waiting to pick people up’ – a simple reminder encourages
people to turn off engine reducing pollution.
Mass transit sharing in manchester
The Bee Network is a vision for an integrated London-style transport system which will join
buses, trams, cycling and walking by 2024, with rail incorporated by 2030, transforming how
people travel in Manchester. This will of course reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses
emitted by a substantial amount, this will lead to lack or in severity of the urban heat island
effect.