By 2050 it is expected that 70 % of the human population will live in cities. They way we plan a build our cities defines our quality of life, our health.

Data from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) shows lower concentrations of air pollutants in Europe counter to China, where the air quality regresses with the looser restrictions.

Czech Hydrometeorological Institute published a report on air quality during the first month since the state of emergency declaration in the Czech Republic. The report focused mainly on air pollution caused by NOx and particulate matter PM₁₀.

Strict measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 decreased the concentrations of air pollutants approx. by 25 %. Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI) published an analysis on air pollutants concentrations development in the period of month before and after the quarantine measures, as well as compared the concentrations with previous years.

On January 1, 2020 the LIFE IP – Air Quality Improvement project was launched with a clear vision to improve the air quality in Slovakia by implementing a set of measures dependent on project partners around the country.

Since 2015 the Polish project Malopolska has been successfully implementing measures to improve the air quality thanks to the EU’s LIFE programme - funding instrument for the environment and climate action. In February, Malopolska team hosted good practices workshops in Krakow.

In order to promote climate-neutral Europe, the European Commission will invest more than €100 million in new LIFE Programme projects.

Slovak project on air quality improvement has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union. The action plan was presented at the kick-off meeting, with the attendance of project partners and the State Secretary Mr. Norbert Kurilla,