A new data network for monitoring air quality, Clean Air Alliance (CCA), promises to fill the real-time air quality data gap in Belgium.
The public-private aims to introduce smarter ventilation in indoor spaces over the next few years.
The initiative was born out of growing concern about air quality and the prospect of stricter standards for indoor public spaces coming into force in 2027. The partners point out that an estimated 7,000 Belgians die prematurely each year as a result of air pollution.
CCA collects real-time data on outdoor air via a platform shared by businesses, public authorities and civil society organisations. This information will form the basis for targeted action, smart ventilation and better policy, explain the network's managers. For example, it will make it possible to ventilate only when necessary and when the outdoor air is optimal, thereby also reducing energy consumption.
Belgium currently has around 120 public measurement points, and CAA intends to increase this number to 2,000 by 2030 through the installation of outdoor sensors by businesses and public partners. The organisations will share their data and benefit from access to the entire network and real-time information.
"We have been talking about smart cities for years, but without accurate real-time data on air quality, smart management remains a pipe dream,"said Antoine Geerinckx, initiator of CO2logic and Airscan, one of the founding partners of CAA alongside Belfius, Delhaize and Interparking.
According to Geerinckx the "Clean Air Alliance fills this gap and translates data into concrete actions for better air quality."
The alliance will work with the interregional environmental unit Celine to improve data quality and network coverage.
