Wednesday 21 January 2026
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin are working with collaborators across the island of Ireland on a major cross-border initiative to improve air quality.
Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the €6.5m PEACE-Air project was launched at Atlantic Technical University (ATU), Donegal.
Will address three major sources of air pollution
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.
John Gallagher, associate professor in Trinity’s School of Engineering, said: “It's great to represent Trinity in this all-Island project, in an area of air pollution, which is a core area of environmental research in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering for more than 30 years.
“Our role in the project is to translate the air quality monitoring data that our partners will collect in communities (towns and cities) along the Ireland-Northern Ireland border over the next two years and define different solutions for mitigating air pollution exposure for vulnerable population groups.
Nature-based design solutions
“This will include producing guidance to support the implementation of physical or nature-based design solutions as interventions to reduce pollution hotspots in and around educational and healthcare settings, for example. That should remove and/or reduce emissions from local transport or home burning sources, so that vulnerable population groups, like children, are exposed to less pollution when playing outside during breaks or sports or indeed infiltrating into the buildings themselves.
“The success of this project for us will be ensuring we improve air quality for everyone in border communities, whether it be towns and cities or indeed rural areas, as we inform policy that truly improves the health and wellbeing of people of all ages.”
Representatives from the PEACE-Air project at the launch of the programme.
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, and 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.
Shared cross-border challenge
The launch included a speech by Jack Chambers, public expenditure minister, who 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.”
The north's finance minister, John O’Dowd, 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.”
Gina McIntyre, CEO of SEUPB, spoke at the launch and emphasised the importance of addressing air pollution through coordinated, evidence-based action.
Further information can be found on the project website.