Tackling air pollution with behavioural changes: lessons learned from European projects

Air pollution is a major challenge in cities and urban areas, posing a serious risk to citizens’ health. Behavioural change and social innovation are needed to achieve cleaner air for all. This workshop will present the digital tools (augmented reality app, dashboard etc.) and methodologies for citizen engagement developed in three EU projects: GreenSCENT, COMPAIR and SOCIO-BEE. The projects are organising citizen science and pilots in 10+ cities to educate and involve students and citizens in air quality monitoring, with the ultimate aim of influencing and encouraging social innovation and behavioural change toward a more sustainable future. Participants will be able to join interactive break-out sessions organised by each project to engage in further discussion and test the tools presented. Session agenda: * Welcome & Introduction to air quality * LEARNING (GreenSCENT): In this talk, we present the process of designing an educational application with gamification and augmented reality features, teaching students aged 10-15 years about air quality topics, to be used inside and outside a classroom environment. The app, designed within the framework of the European project GreenSCENT, is currently in the final stages of development and comes complete with educational material and tools for teachers, students and citizens. * PARTICIPATING (SOCIO-BEE): In this talk, we will share SOCIO-BEE's inclusive philosophy around the set up of citizen science hubs in different pilot locations. We have been developing a set of inclusive methodologies and guidelines to foster a wide and fair participation from different target groups in the different pilots and we are starting to see the first results. We will share these, which will certainly set the ground for an important conversation around diversity, inclusion and behavioural change. * INFLUENCING / POLICY (COMPAIR): In this presentation, we will explain how COMPAIR is empowering 5 cities and regions to more rapidly achieve net zero by leveraging citizen science to plug urban data gaps. Our low-cost sensor networks measure local air quality and provide detailed data visualisations through digital twins and advanced analytics, including AR, to drive collaborative policy and behaviour change. COMPAIR engages traditionally underrepresented people in citizen science e.g. minorities, lower income groups. As well as delivering personal benefits through citizen science participation and AR insights, we deliver impact on policy via data calibration and by supporting specific policy measures in pilots e.g. school streets, new mobility plans, STEM education. * Break-out sessions by each project