£2.8 million for London Air Quality Programme

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Michael R. Bloomberg, U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, have announced a £2.8m joint investment for the next phase of the air quality monitoring programme Breathe London.

The funding will help Londoners view real-time, hyperlocal air quality data in their area and take action to tackle air pollution. 

The first phase of the programme was launched in 2021, in 2021 by the Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies and delivered by Imperial College London.

It established an air quality monitoring network at hospitals, schools, cultural institutions and other priority locations across the city, with access to real-time air quality data published online.

Low-cost sensors were provided to 60 community groups across 24 boroughs. Data from sensors at 18 primary schools showed that closing roads around schools to traffic at pick-up and drop-off times reduced harmful nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 23 percent.

The next phase of Breathe London will build on previous success, with a new programme of public engagement including working groups for schools, hospitals, community groups, and local authorities, annual webinars, and on-site training sessions.

A new website has also been launched, which will provide real-time, hyperlocal air quality data along with information and resources for communities and key organisations to raise awareness of the dangers of air pollution and take action at a local level.

Khan said: "The first phase of my pioneering Breathe London programme has been a game-changer for Londoners wanting to clean up the air they breathe, empowering communities and organisations with real-time, hyperlocal data. I am delighted that Vodafone will lead the programme’s next phase, equipping Londoners with the tools to raise awareness of air pollution and take action on a local level. With the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, we can take the global Breathe Cities initiative from strength to strength, creating greener, healthier communities.

“Tackling the capital’s toxic air has been one of my top priorities since I took office, and it’s fantastic to gather with global Mayors in the capital during London Climate Action Week and celebrate our achievements in accelerating global climate action. Bloomberg, Clean Air Fund and C40 Cities have been just a few of the key players in this mission, and it’s incredible to see what C40 Cities have accomplished in 20 years. I look forward to working with all our partners as we build a better, fairer London for all.”

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies said: “Under Sadiq Khan’s leadership, London has become a model for how local governments can use technology and data to drive progress cleaning the air. This expansion of Breathe London will give Londoners access to more real-time air quality data, empowering them with critical public health information and helping leaders create policies that will save lives in London and set an example for cities around the world.”