Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies Announce £2.8 Million Joint Investment to Expand Pioneering Air Quality Programme Breathe London

New air quality sensors deployed across the capital, including 10 on and around Oxford Street to monitor the air quality impacts of the newly announced pedestrianisation scheme  

New phase of Breathe London will be delivered by consortium of expert partners led by Vodafone, and the Breathe London Community Programme will continue to be delivered by Imperial College, supported by Clean Air Fund

Announcement comes as global mayors unite today for London Climate Action Week, celebrating C40 Cities’ 20^th birthday and the two-year anniversary of the launch of Breathe Cities

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 today announced a £2.8m joint investment for the next phase of the pioneering air quality monitoring programme Breathe London. This investment enables Londoners to view real-time, hyperlocal air quality data in their area and take action to tackle air pollution.

The first phase of Breathe London, launched in 2021 by the Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies and delivered by Imperial College London, established a robust 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. This inspired the launch of Breathe Cities during London Climate Action Week 2023, a first-of-its-kind initiative delivered by the Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, supporting cities globally to clean their air, cut carbon emissions, and enhance public health.

As part of this monitoring network, low-cost sensors were provided to 60 community groups across 24 boroughs, cultivating a network of Londoners sharing and working with air pollution data to improve the environment in their communities. These sensors have empowered Londoners to advocate for healthier, greener communities:

• Data from 30 Breathe London sensors installed 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.
• Community groups have used Breathe London data in their efforts to ensure cleaner air near schools, green spaces and other areas of communal importance, while expanding walking and cycling routes.
• Breathe London data in Dulwich supported the implementation of one of the most ambitious and extensive school streets in London, with 2km of road network around the schools prioritised for walking and cycling.*
• Innovative uses of data have visually illustrated the local picture on air quality, such as a unique textile artwork started by a collective of over 70 East London community knitters (Poplar Harca) to highlight data in Tower Hamlets over 12 months.

The next phase of Breathe London will build on this 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. The revamped Breathe London website launches today, providing 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.

This phase is being delivered by a consortium of leading experts, convened by Vodafone, over the next four years. The group includes experts from Global Action Plan, Airly, Ricardo, Scotswolds Ltd, Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants, and the University of Cambridge. The consortium will deliver 146 sensors, including 10 on and around Oxford Street to monitor the impacts of the newly announced pedestrianisation scheme. The Breathe London Community Programme, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will be delivered by Imperial College London, The Social Innovation Partnership, and Clean Air Fund, working closely with the consortium, focused on empowering local communities and advocates. Imperial College London will also continue to deliver 215 Breathe London sensors for communities, businesses, local government and individuals.  Jointly, this brings the number of Breathe London sensors currently active across the city to about 350.

This announcement comes as global mayors unite today in London to celebrate the twentieth birthday of C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 cities united in action to confront the climate crisis. It also marks the two-year anniversary of the Breathe Cities initiative, which has since expanded to a cohort of 14 cities on five continents representing 77 million people. From Nairobi to Rio de Janeiro, Brussels to Bangkok, more than 1,000 air quality sensors have been installed in Breathe Cities so far.

Today’s announcement was made as London Climate Action Week continues in full swing. Now in its seventh year, the week (21-29 June) is the largest city-wide climate festival in Europe. It attracts more than 45,000 people to the capital annually while hosting more than 700 in-person and virtual events, mobilising London’s unparalleled array of climate and non-climate organisations to accelerate global climate action.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities 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.”

Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree, said: “We’re thrilled to lead this consortium, bringing together our combined expertise to deliver the next stage of the Breathe London project. With high levels of air pollution in the capital, it is crucial we can give Londoners access to real-time, hyperlocal air quality data in their area and help them make better informed decisions about their health and well-being. At VodafoneThree, we are committed to putting the communities we serve and the environment they live in first and we will continue to explore what else might be possible in both London and other UK cities in the future.”

Johnson Arthur Sakaja, Governor of Nairobi said: “Nairobi’s efforts to address toxic air pollution and support better health and economic outcomes for our residents have only grown since starting our partnership with Breathe Cities. In recent weeks, we have begun the rollout of Nairobi City County’s first-ever city-owned air quality monitoring network, with 50 monitors deployed at schools and health facilities across our vibrant capital. Through data-driven interventions, we are equipping our city with the precise, real-time knowledge we need to track pollution hotspots, inform policies, safeguard the health of every single resident and shape a sustainable future for generations to come,”“We’re proud to be a part of such an innovative and data-driven initiative and look forward to the health, environmental, and economic improvements from this work not only in Nairobi, but across the globe.”

Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan said: “Air pollution knows no borders, only together will we be able to tackle harmful emissions and secure a healthier future for cities,”. “Mayor Khan’s leadership with Breathe London sets a powerful example, showing what’s possible when ambition meets action. Milan is proud to be part of this movement for clean air. Following London’s example we have created the second largest Low Emission Zone in Europe, to better protect our communities and our climate.”

Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris said: “Air pollution affects everyone in our cities, but decisive, data-driven actions as we do in Paris, London, and beyond are making the air cleaner and our communities healthier. Providing access to air quality data demonstrates the results of our actions. It is a key tool that helps us fight disinformation with facts. I welcome today’s announcement from my friends Mike Bloomberg and Mayor Khan to expand Breathe London and give residents even more access to air quality data.”

Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro said: “Air pollution is a shared challenge that no city can tackle alone. During this London Climate Action Week, we’re proud to celebrate the progress cities have made thus far,” said. “By partnering with Breathe Cities, Rio is stepping up its fight against harmful emissions through introducing a Low Emission District, expanding more inclusive pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the city center, and electrifying 20% of our bus fleet by 2030. Together, these efforts will help build a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future for all Cariocas.”

Jane Burston, CEO of Clean Air Fund said: “A future where people in London and beyond breathe cleaner air is within our grasp. When we founded Breathe Cities, we wanted to enable access to vital air quality data and unlock the power of cities to work together for greater, faster action. It’s happening, through our continued collaboration with Breathe London and other global cities,” “Breathe Cities is now supporting cities from Nairobi to Warsaw to clean their air, cut carbon emissions and enhance public health.”

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities said: “London has long been a pioneer in reducing air pollution and thanks to the leadership of Mayor Khan over 400 air quality sensors have been installed, revolutionising access to reliable community data,”  “This next phase of work will continue to empower local advocates for cleaner air and share best-practice with other cities around the world.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

* further info on the Dulwich School Streets here

The new Breathe London website can be visited here

For information on London Climate Action Week, visit https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.

Media Contact:
Penelope Hoopes penelope@bloomberg.org

About Breathe Cities:
Breathe Cities is a first-of-its-kind initiative from Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to clean the air, cut carbon emissions, and enhance public health in cities around the world. Launched in June 2023 by Michael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Mayor of London and C40 Cities Co-Chair Sadiq Khan, it aims to break down barriers to action and ensure communities around the world have access to clean air.

Breathe Cities brings together air quality data, communities, and city leaders to reduce air pollution and planet-warming emissions by 30% across participating cities by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, which would prevent 55,000 premature deaths and around 111,000 new cases of asthma in children, save $147 billion in avoided hospitalizations and deaths and avoid up to 394 megatonnes of CO2e emissions. To learn more, visit the website or follow on X, Instagram and Facebook.

About C40:
C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere, can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to limit global heating in line with the Paris Agreement and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. We work alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to support mayors to halve emissions by 2030 and help phase out fossil use while increasing urban climate resilience and equity.

The current co-chairs of C40 are Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, United Kingdom, and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone; three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Realdania.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About the Clean Air Fund:
The Clean Air Fund is a global philanthropic organisation that works with governments, funders, businesses and campaigners to create a future where everyone breathes clean air.
www.cleanairfund.org