By Lenah Bosibori
Nairobi, Kenya: Nairobi is set to make a massive step in its fight against air pollution with the official launch of the Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative on September 11, 2024.
Breathe Cities, a groundbreaking initiative jointly spearheaded by Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, is dedicated to improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering public health in urban areas across the globe. This unique initiative stands as the first of its kind.
In June 2023, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, and Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, launched an initiative with the aim of reducing air pollution and planet-warming emissions in participating cities by 30% by 2030.
In order to tackle crucial air pollution issues, Nairobi will receive assistance by participating in the US $30 million initiative.
In collaboration with cities like Jakarta and Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi has joined a network of ten global cities dedicated to improving air quality. This initiative focuses on collecting air quality data, strengthening infrastructure, engaging communities, and sharing knowledge on a global scale.
According to the State of the Global Air 2020 report, over 5,000 premature deaths in Kenya are attributed to air pollution, a crisis that has continued to escalate despite Nairobi’s position as a global environmental hub.
Johnson Sakaja Governor for Nairobi City County highlighted the urgency of the initiative, stating “I am humbled that Nairobi will not only launch this initiative, but will also play host to a function that will convene key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, development partners from across the region and Nairobi’s continued commitment to cleaning its air.” He said. “Nairobi’s air quality is a matter of life and death. The Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative will provide the much-needed resources to implement real, lasting changes, and ensure that all residents can breathe cleaner air.”
The support from Breathe Cities will be allocated towards strengthening Nairobi’s capacity to monitor and manage air quality, supported by a robust public awareness campaign and regulatory reforms. The Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative is structured around three core Breathe Cities pillars including data and research, stakeholder and community engagement plus technical policy assistance.
According to Dr. Victor Indasi, Breathe Cities Lead, Kenya “The Breathe Cities Nairobi project is a game changer.” “With Breathe Cities, we are committed to collaborating with partners and stakeholders to restore the true meaning of Hakuna Matata – a life free from the burdens of air pollution, where every breath takes in air that is cleaner and healthier.”
Nairobi has already made significant strides in this area, including the enactment of the Nairobi Air Quality Act in 2022, embedding real time air quality monitoring in the county website as well as carrying out air quality source awareness assessment.
In addition, the county is finalizing its climate change legal framework, updated the existing Greenhouse Inventory and hired a record number of technical environment staff.
The city is committed to reducing emissions by 51% by 2035 through multifaceted approaches such as urban greening, sustainable municipal solid waste management, adoption of clean transport alternatives and green energy solutions as part of its broader goal of creating a healthier, more sustainable urban environment.
