A new cross-border initiative focused on addressing air pollution issues throughout Ireland has secured €6.5 million in funding, reports Breaking News.
Among the key areas of focus for the Peace-Air partnership will be the effects of ammonia emissions from agriculture on both human health and the environment. The project seeks to enhance air quality by promoting engagement, research, and actions that support policies and practical solutions.
The project has received €6,499,957 in Peaceplus funding, reports Breaking News.
Peaceplus is overseen by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and is jointly funded by the European Union, the UK and Irish governments, and the Northern Ireland Executive. The overall programme is valued at €1.14 billion.
The Peace-Air initiative is headed by the European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology (ERNACT). Partners include Donegal County Council, Queen’s University Belfast, University College Cork, Technological University Dublin, University of Galway, Ulster University, the Institute of Public Health, Trinity College Dublin, and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, reports Breaking News.
The partnership’s goal is to produce scientific data on the origins of air pollution to support emission reduction strategies and to educate the public on the serious health risks linked to air pollution and its various causes, reports Breaking News.
The project will be organised around three core focus areas:
– Solid fuel burning will be addressed through joint monitoring campaigns across borders, surveys in communities, and the creation of an island-wide solid fuel testing lab.
– Air pollution linked to transportation in towns along the border will be assessed using low-cost sensor arrays and chemical analysis techniques, with the help of citizen science efforts to promote public understanding, reports Breaking News.
– Ammonia emissions from agriculture and their impact on both health and biodiversity will be studied through fieldwork, while existing monitoring systems will be reviewed within a cross-border framework.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers highlighted that the Environmental Protection Agency has estimated 1,600 premature deaths each year in Ireland are linked to poor air quality.
He said: “The cross-border 6.5 million euro Peace-Air project will bring new strategic engagement to improve air quality right across the island. Focusing on collaboration and research across both jurisdictions, Peace-Air will develop an evidence base to inform policy development and lead to better health outcomes,” reports Breaking News.
Stormont Minister of Finance John O’Dowd said: “This initiative is a positive example of cross-border co-operation, and it will work to improve air quality through strategic engagement, research and resultant actions across the island of Ireland. The project will inform the work of policymakers in both jurisdictions in promoting more effective ways to address air pollution to improve health and wellbeing,” reports Breaking News.
SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: “Peace-Air will be the first cross-border collaboration of its kind to tackle common air pollution challenges. It delivers unique scientific capability from across the island of Ireland, ensuring inclusive geographic coverage of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. This funding demonstrates Peaceplus in action, bringing experts together to work on delivering positive change which will benefit the lives of so many people across our programme area by protecting and enhancing our natural environment,” reports Breaking News.
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