A cross-border partnership aimed at tackling air pollution across the island of Ireland has been awarded €6.5 million in funding.
The impact of agricultural ammonia emissions, caused mostly by livestock, and its effect on health and ecosystems will be among the subjects investigated by the Peace-Air partnership.
It has been awarded approximately €6,499,957 in funding with the aim of improving air quality through engagement, research and activities supporting policies and actions.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that 1,600 premature deaths annually can be attributed to poor air quality in Ireland.
He said the project will bring "new strategic engagement to improve air quality right across the island".
"Focusing on collaboration and research across both jurisdictions, Peace-Air will develop an evidence base to inform policy development and lead to better health outcomes," he added.
Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the UK and Irish governments and the Northern Ireland Executive. It has a total value of €1.14 billion.
The partnership aims to provide scientific evidence on air pollution sources to inform emission reduction policies and to raise awareness on the detrimental health effects of air pollution and its causes.
The project will tackle solid fuel burning through cross-border monitoring campaigns, community surveys and the establishment of an all-island solid fuel testing laboratory.
Transport-related air pollution in cross-border towns will also be monitored using low-cost sensor networks and chemical speciation techniques, with citizen scientists engaged to raise awareness.
While the impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on health and ecosystems will be investigated through field studies, and the current monitoring networks will be assessed in a cross-border context.
Stormont Minister for Finance John O'Dowd described the initiative as a "positive example" of cross-border co-operation.
He said: "The project will inform the work of policymakers in both jurisdictions in promoting more effective ways to address air pollution to improve health and wellbeing."
Partners in Peace-Air include Donegal County Council, Queen's University Belfast, University College Cork, Technological University Dublin, University of Galway, Ulster University, Institute of Public Health, Trinity College Dublin and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
