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 Chair Sadiq Khan, have launched the 30-million USD Breathe Cities initiative to promote clean air globally. The initiative was launched during London Climate Action Week at the end of June. It is a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40 Cities and the Clean Air Fund.
Almost no urban area has air quality that meets the guidelines of the World Health Organization, according to a statement from the partners. However, “cities around the world are proving that, with the right technology and support, they can reduce air pollution, protect public health, and fight climate change", commented Michael R. Bloomberg. The initiative will provide funding, technical support, air quality data, community engagement, and capacity building to a group of cities to be announced later this year.
Breathe Cities expands Mayor Khan’s work to tackle air pollution in London. In August, he will oversee the London-wide expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, his “world-leading” initiative to reduce vehicle pollution. In the statement he explained that he is committed to working collaboratively across national borders and city boundaries. “Toxic air pollution is a public health crisis in many of our cities. I’m proud that this partnership will enable cities across the globe to drive down emissions and tackle the air pollution crisis head on,” he said.
The initiative also builds on existing efforts led by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Clean Air Fund in the cities of Brussels, Jakarta, London, Milan, Paris, and Warsaw to track air pollution and shape policy measures to reduce pollution, as well as C40 efforts to increase global commitments to clean air. ce/em
