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University College Cork to play leading role in new all-island €6.5 million Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air (PEACE-Air)
PEACE-Air (Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air) is an all-island initiative working to improve air quality and protect public health across Ireland and Northern Ireland through evidence-based policy, collaboration and innovation.
PEACE-Air will address three major sources of air pollution: solid fuel burning, transport emissions, and agricultural ammonia, through a structured programme of scientific research, behavioural insights, community outreach, and policy support.
The project brings together local authorities, universities, environmental agencies, health organisations and community groups from both jurisdictions, ensuring that its work is grounded in shared priorities and accessible evidence.
Led by Professor John Wenger and Dr Stig Hellebust, from the School of Chemistry and Sustainability Institute, researchers from UCC will use chemical fingerprinting techniques to determine sources of air pollution, deploy low-cost air sensor networks in border towns and support citizen science activities to highlight the importance of good air quality.
Professor John Wenger said: "We are delighted to play a leading role in this ambitious all-island project for delivering clean air. Air pollution has a detrimental effect on human health and well-being and is estimated to cause over 2,600 premature deaths annually on the island of Ireland. PEACE-Air will generate robust scientific evidence to support cross-border policy development and enable practical actions that lead to cleaner air and better health outcomes for all."
Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the €6.5 million PEACE-Air project was recently launched at Atlantic Technical University (ATU), Donegal.
At the event, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD said: "I welcome the launch of the PEACE-Air project. Funded by the PEACEPLUS programme, PEACE-Air harnesses unique scientific and research capacity to address the shared cross-border challenge of air pollution. The work of PEACE-Air will help inform strategies to protect the natural environment and ensure clean air for people and communities across the island of Ireland. With a focus on strategic cross-border engagement, PEACE-Air exemplifies the positive public health and environmental impacts that can be achieved through effective North South collaboration."
Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA said: "I welcome this significant investment in the PEACE-Air project, which aims to create healthier communities and promote environmental sustainability. By equipping policymakers with the evidence and tools needed to shape effective clean air strategies, this initiative will ensure decisions are informed, co-ordinated, and deliver lasting benefits for communities across the island."
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: "Air pollution is a shared challenge that knows no borders. PEACE-Air will be the first cross-border collaboration of its kind to tackle this challenge. The project will not only improve the quality of the air we breathe, but also demonstrate the immense value of partnership working across boundaries. It delivers unique scientific capability from across the island of Ireland, ensuring inclusive geographic coverage of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. This funding demonstrates PEACEPLUS in action, bringing experts together to work on delivering positive change which will benefit the lives of so many people across our programme area by protecting and enhancing our natural environment."
The PEACE-Air partnership consists of 10 core partners, including:
- ERNACT (lead partner)
- Donegal County Council
- Armagh City
- Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
- Queen’s University Belfast
- University College Cork
- TU Dublin
- University of Galway
- Ulster University
- Trinity College Dublin
- The Institute of Public Health.
Seven associate partners, including the EPA, NIEA, Asthma & Lung UK, the Irish Heart Foundation, and the Environmental Health Association of Ireland, will also support delivery and contribute specialist expertise.
Further information can be found on www.peace-air.eu