In 2022, as part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission (EC) proposed to revise the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQDs) to align with the World Health Organization recommendations. SWIFT-AIR will focus on research and innovation in air quality assessment by using tools to aid in identifying causes and potential solutions for systematic air pollution exceedances. This is closely linked with the European Green Deal strategy, notably: i) the use of high-resolution air quality modelling to provide sound scientific evidence that underpins action plans aimed at improving air quality to meet the European Union (EU) zero pollution plan for 2030. ii) Enhance modelling knowledge related to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from residential heating.
SWIFT-AIR will strengthen the Portuguese air quality management capacity, ensuring the effective implementation of the current and future EU AAQDs. SWIFT-AIR is committed to empowering the air quality management agencies with the requisite knowledge and resources essential to enhance their operational capabilities, enabling them to address the challenges linked to the ambitious EU clean air goals. SWIFT-AIR outcomes will help to promote sustainable actions, such as transitioning to cleaner residential fuels, quantifying the impacts of green technologies on urban air quality and encouraging citizens to use sustainable mobility. SWIFT-AIR research and innovation actions are related to transport, industry and energy combustion activities, and health protection, boosting future clean air actions with co-benefits for the global climate action. The project has 2 main components designed to efficiently address the proposal’s objectives. An initial phase will focus on setting up technology for the use cases. A second component is dedicated to addressing the limitations of the operational air quality chain and the research gaps of urban air quality assessment.
