Local environmental observations for healthier cities
In the EU, 75 % of the population(opens in new window) – around 340 million people – live in urban communities where protecting local air quality, expanding green spaces and reducing the impacts of climate change are of increasing importance to residents. Europe has strict environmental laws, but official monitoring networks cannot record conditions in every street, school and home. Citizen scientists can help fill these gaps by collecting local environmental data that complements official measurements and provides communities and public authorities with a more detailed picture of environmental conditions. These observatories connect people, data and systems to generate trusted environmental intelligence at the local level. Citizen observatories make valuable contributions to existing data collection methods by documenting people’s actual exposure to air pollution, excessive noise, urban heat, flooding, industrial emissions and poor water quality. Such data is extremely valuable to public authorities as it can be collected frequently in locations that official monitoring networks may not cover. This provides local details over time, showing exactly where environmental problems are and allowing leaders and communities to take swift action. By employing mobile apps, low-cost sensors, digital platforms and personalised carbon footprint tools, citizen observatories and other citizen science initiatives not only provide environmental data, but they can also stimulate behavioural change. The projects included in this CORDIS Results Pack developed and applied low-cost technologies that allow the dissemination of citizen observatories at scale and complement official measurements for decision-making. They provide real-world examples of how Europe’s climate objectives are more attainable when citizens understand the problems and help create the solutions. This CORDIS Results Pack highlights concrete tested and scalable solutions, tools and methodologies developed and tested by 11 selected projects funded by Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020. Across different urban settings, these initiatives support climate-neutral city strategies, foster local energy transitions and contribute to the protection of water ecosystems while reinforcing Europe’s leadership in climate resilience. The projects helped build healthier cities by including residents in the co-design of local studies, in the monitoring of environmental stressors such as air and noise pollution, and in collaboration with scientists and local authorities to shape urban policy. The projects also further the aims of the European Green Deal(opens in new window), the European Climate Pact(opens in new window) and the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030(opens in new window). In addition, the Results Pack illustrates how policymakers can engage citizens in reducing the impacts of climate change in their communities. It also demonstrates to local authorities responsible for urban policies as well as to NGOs and non-profit organisations how they can promote citizen engagement. CitObs reimagined the role of citizens in environmental governance, creating sociotechnical tools for inclusive participation in environmental observations. GREENGAGE worked with citizens to develop citizen observatories focused on mobility, air quality and healthy living. Urban ReLeaf incorporated citizen-powered evidence and insight into plans for greener, healthier and more just cities. MoRe4nature transformed environmental protection by involving citizens and communities in collaborative environmental compliance assurance. ENFORCE improved environmental regulatory compliance and governance. PSLifestyle created a new app that calculates an individual’s environmental impact. The AURORA project empowered citizens to co-create local energy communities, while OneAquaHealth developed an AI-based environmental surveillance system to monitor and protect aquatic ecosystems. Air pollution is a serious environmental health risk in Europe. I-CHANGE, CompAir and SOCIO-BEE worked with citizen scientists to monitor local air pollution and human behaviour in the face of a changing climate.
