Bloomberg Philanthropies is investing $45 million, to expand Breathe Cities, an initiative which aims to improve air quality and protect public health globally.
Breathe Cities is funded by the Clean Air Fund and C40 Cities.
Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, said the Breathe Cities initiative, provides local leaders with an opportunity to lead the way in cleaning the air.
“Every step forward helps to save lives, improve public health and reduce emissions – all while making cities better places to live and work. This new investment will build on the progress mayors are making and help spread that progress to even more cities.”
Joburg joined Breathe Cities in 2024 and launched several initiatives thereafter, including the Clean Air Week and Breathe Cities awareness week in September of the same year, conducted a study on residents’ thoughts and perceptions on air quality and related health impacts, conducted ICCT Vehicle Emissions Testing and mobilised over 1,100 young people.
Dada Morero, the Mayor of Johannesburg, said “Johannesburg is building sub-Saharan Africa’s first Clean Air Zone hand in hand with our young residents.”
Other cities part of the initiative are Addis Ababa, Madrid, Accra, Bangkok, Bogotá, Brussels, Jakarta, Johannesburg, London, Mexico City, Milan, Nairobi, Paris; Rio de Janeiro, Sofia, and Warsaw.
Picture: Supplied