People in the can check live air quality levels through a new online tool, thanks to funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Air Aware – developed in partnership by the Corporation and the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham, and Tower Hamlets – shows live particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels in the Square Mile and neighbouring areas so that people can lower their exposure to air pollution.
It also features an ‘assistant’ chat function to give advice and answer users’ questions, as well as an information hub with extra tools, videos, and resources – plus a community section with news and local events.
The tool, which can be accessed using a web browser for free via smartphone, tablet or laptop, can also be publicly accessed using new digital display screens at the Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, and Barbican Library.
Air pollution in the is falling, and the City Corporation has already met its aim, ahead of schedule, for 90% of the Square Mile to meet World Health Organisation guidelines for nitrogen dioxide by 2025.
Chair of the Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, Mary Durcan, said:
“Air Aware demonstrates just how important it is to work together in order to make real changes to the environment across the capital and beyond.
“By collaborating with neighbouring boroughs, we’ve been able to create a useful resource for people who want to know more about air quality in areas they live, work, and explore.
“Over the past six months, we’ve been working together and listening, to develop a tool with the information local people really want, to help them make informed decisions about their daily lives.”
The City Corporation has taken a number of bold and practical steps to improve the Square Mile’s air quality.
It has introduced emissions-based charges for on-street parking, targeting high-polluting transport with higher charges while rewarding drivers of low-emission vehicles with lower tariffs.
It uses an all-electric refuse fleet and its procurement rules have brought in tight restrictions on harmful emissions from bulldozers and generators.
The City Corporation helps businesses cut their air pollution through its CityAir programme, and in partnership with Camden Council, it delivered a three-year pan-London idling engine action project with a capital-wide advertising campaign encouraging drivers to switch off their engines while parked.
The organisation has created Air Quality Action Plans for every school and nursery in the Square Mile, and its Clean Air Thames project, delivered alongside the Cross River Partnership, has reduced toxic emissions from boats and ships.
Air quality is monitored at over 100 locations across the Square Mile. Data collected by people living in the Barbican and Golden Lane estates, as part of its Science in the City air quality monitoring project, showed a 40 percent improvement in air quality on these housing estates from 2012-2021.
The City Corporation maintains over 180 parks and other small green sites in the Square Mile. Together, they make up a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open space the organisation manages across London and southeast England. These sites capture over 16,000 tonnes of carbon every year; equivalent to 70% of the City Corporation’s annual carbon footprint within its own operations.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – .
Air Aware is free to use and available to access at www.air-aware.co.uk.
';
