PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Poor air quality is one of the leading causes of death in Europe. Combating air pollution has many similarities with climate change action. However, air quality is a complex issue and it is still difficult to engage decision-makers and citizens on this issue. Decision-makers insufficiently integrate air quality issues into decision-making on urban planning. Moreover, solutions to limit the emission of air pollutants are often unpopular.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE V-AIR project aims to help decrease the emission of air pollutants and air pollutant concentrations, raising awareness of decision-makers and the general public. It will develop innovative communication tools, such as gamification and virtual reality, aimed at decision-makers and locals. The tools will make the substandard air quality and its potential impacts visible. Decision-makers will receive training through a serious virtual reality game using air quality data on their own territory, and including energy and climate indicators. The game will help them to visualise the range of impacts of poor air quality on public health and the environment. It will also help them identify areas of investments to implement public policies in terms of development, transports and agriculture (EU legislations: Directive (EPBD) 2010/31/EU, Directive (EED) 2012/27/EU, Directive 2009/33/EC, Regulation (EU) 2019/631, Directive 2009/128/EC, Directive 2008/50/EC and NEC Directive 2016/2284/EU). An entertaining escape game with individual data will help reach out to the wider public. These tools will enhance existing air-climate-energy databases at the EU, national, regional and local level. Since the virtual reality tool can be adapted to the concerned territory, it will have a high replication potential.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Development of a serious game aimed at decision-makers, which is adaptable to the territory of interest;
- Creation of an escape game aimed at the wider public that is adaptable to behavioural trends;
- Dissemination activities reaching 2 000 local decision-makers and 41 000 ordinary citizens;
- An assessment of the environmental, economic, social impact of the project;
- Replication at the national and European level, tailored to different territories; and
- A study of possible replication around other themes, such as indoor air quality and air quality issues linked to agriculture and traffic.
