New research has revealed a stark imbalance in how air pollution rules are applied across different sectors, showing that large-scale polluters are permitted to release far more harmful nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) per unit of energy than small, household-level emitters. The findings raise questions about fairness, public health, and the effectiveness of current environmental policy at a time when many industries are preparing to transition to low-carbon fuels. The study, conducted by a team at the University of York, compared regulatory