Anne Hidalgo’s recent decision to step down as Mayor of Paris has sparked discussions about her legacy, particularly regarding air quality improvements. Supporters, including Ian Brossat, emphasize a 40% reduction in car space, correlating with a decline in pollutants like NO2 and PM10. Traffic data from 2011 to 2022 indicates significant decreases in vehicle numbers, particularly within the city. The expansion of bicycle lanes has contributed to these changes, continuing a trend of reduced motorized traffic initiated by previous administrations.
Anne Hidalgo’s Decision and Paris’ Air Quality Improvements
Last week, Anne Hidalgo made headlines by announcing her decision not to pursue a third term as the Mayor of Paris, instead backing PS senator Rémi Féraud. While it’s still early to evaluate her legacy, with municipal elections slated for March 2026, some officials are already defending the administration’s achievements. A notable supporter is Ian Brossat, a communist elected official who served as deputy for nine years.
“I take full responsibility for our accomplishments in Paris,” he expressed on X, sharing an excerpt from a recent interview with Franceinfo. Brossat highlighted a significant milestone: “This includes a 40% reduction in car space, which has contributed to a corresponding decrease in pollution levels.”
Analyzing the Data: Air Quality and Traffic Trends
In a conversation with Ian Brossat, he referenced statistics from the period of 2011 to 2022, which were originally highlighted by Anne Hidalgo. He cited the Airparif institute, known for monitoring various pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10, PM2.5, and ozone. Their annual reports analyze the concentration of these pollutants in the air throughout Paris, assessing both background air quality and specific roadway measurements.
The findings indicate a substantial decline in pollutant levels, closely aligning with the claimed 40% reduction: approximately 41% for NO2, 38% for PM10, and 39% for PM2.5. However, Airparif notes that nitrogen dioxide levels continue to be problematic, frequently surpassing annual limits, and PM2.5 concentrations still exceed quality objectives.
As for ozone, which is considered a global concern due to its longer lifespan and ability to travel, Airparif emphasizes that while there are no regulatory limits, two WHO-recommended thresholds are exceeded annually across the Île-de-France region.
The improvement in air quality can be partially attributed to shifts in transportation habits among the population. Over the past decade, the city has utilized numerous sensors to monitor road traffic, resulting in the publication of an “annual mobility report.” This report details the trends in the number of vehicles per kilometer per hour, both within the city and on the ring road.
From 2011 to 2022, traffic on the ring road saw a modest decline, from 5,673 to 4,919 vehicles—a 13% reduction. However, the intra-muros traffic showed more significant progress, dropping from 935 to 585 vehicles, equating to a 37% reduction. Notably, by 2023, the average recorded was around 546 vehicles, marking a 42% decrease since 2011.
As the city continues to reduce car space, the expansion of bicycle lanes has played a vital role, with the network doubling over the past decade. Hidalgo has not only maintained but also intensified initiatives that were set in motion prior to her tenure, continuing a trend of decreasing motorized traffic that began in the early 2000s under former Mayor Bertrand Delanoë.
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