Bloomberg Philanthropies is to deploy air quality sensors at 50 schools and 10 priority sites in the Italian city of Milan over the next two years.
City agency Agenzia Mobilità Ambiente e Territorio will develop hyperlocal data on air quality with a digital platform to provide information to schools, parents, and the wider community.
As part of the project, the Italian Climate Network will launch an educational campaign in schools. It will utilise the local air quality data and other resources to improve students and their families' understanding on the sources of pollution and the importance of clean air.
The company says Milan is among the top ten EU cities with the highest costs and mortality burden stemming from air pollution.
According to Bloomberg, the city has taken “bold action” under the leadership of mayor Giuseppe Sala to tackle air pollution through restricting polluting vehicles and committing to create a zero-emission area in the city centre by 2030.
Founder Michael R. Bloomberg says: “To better understand the problem in Milan, and rally support to address it, Bloomberg Philanthropies is glad to work with Mayor Sala to deploy a localized air monitoring network at schools across the city. This work will help Milan improve its air quality, and inform similar projects in other cities.”
The project builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ work with partners and local authorities to design projects that can accelerate action to end air pollution in London, Brussels, Paris, Mumbai and Jakarta.
