According to the European Environment Agency’s 2023 Air Quality Report, 97% of the urban population in the EU was exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations above the World Health Organization’s recommended limits. Chronic exposure to such pollution remains one of the largest environmental health risks in Europe, causing over 300,000 premature deaths annually.

CitySatAir is a cross-disciplinary project led by KNMI (Netherlands) in partnership with NILU (Norway) and Lobelia (Spain). The project addresses one of Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges: urban air pollution.

CitySatAir develops and demonstrates a methodology for integrating diverse datasets to create high-resolution urban air quality maps. This includes spaceborne, ground-based, and in-situ observations, harmonized through mathematically robust and scientifically validated models. The end goal is to deliver spatially detailed, actionable air quality products that can support urban decision-making and public health interventions.