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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Industries

Environment

We monitor the environment and support new technology that will reduce pollution

Monitoring the environment and supporting low carbon technologies

A thriving economy can be at odds with the human desires for a clean, healthy and safe environment. More people now live in cities than in rural areas, and by 2050, two thirds of the world's population is projected to be urban. This is putting human health and environmental protection under growing pressure.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, as well as the UK’s Clean Air Act and Climate Change Act, are the principle drivers behind the need for environmental monitoring. A thorough understanding of industrial processes and their environmental impact can lead to process efficiencies that are good for business, while also protecting the environment and, importantly, human health.

Environmental measurement scientists at NPL work with academia, industry, the government and its regulators to provide high quality, cost-effective pollution monitoring and analysis.

The airborne emissions and ambient air sampling and analysis services are accredited to ISO 17025 and are underpinned by the latest research. All measurements are traceable to UK National Standards.

We carry out remote sensing of gaseous emissions worldwide, using DIAL (Differential Absorption Lidar). We also offer advice and measurements for Greenhouse Gas Reporting. We are entrusted by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to lead UK monitoring networks, and for the provision of traceable measurements for climate change models.

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Our expertise

NPL undertakes focused research and development, as well as providing services and bespoke consultancy in the following areas:

Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL)

Find out more about our sophisticated remote sensing system that provides rapid, accurate measurements of airborne atmospheric pollutants.  

Emission monitoring using Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL)

Case study

Spatially measuring the conductivity of hydrogen technology materials

Article

Case study

Accelerating the production of composites to decarbonise aviation

Article

Case study

Reducing reliance on plastic drums as part of the green recovery 

Article

Our research

Our research covers a broad range of techniques and expertise for existing and new technologies.

Find out how we can help you

Working with us opens the door to state-of-the-art facilities and over 500 passionate scientists with world-class measurement capabilities.