Bangkok, Thailand has become the twelfth city to join the Breathe Cities initiative – a global network dedicated to improving air quality. Breathe Cities brings together air quality data and local government “to equip cities to develop tailored policies and initiatives at the local level, and to collaborate globally.” The initiative was created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Clean Air Fund, and C40 Cities.
The city of Bangkok aims to reduce air pollution by up to 30% by the year 2030. Since 2010, it has worked to improve air quality by monitoring and mapping pollution sources, expanding the public metro system, electrifying public buses, and increasing green spaces. Yet, in 2023, 10 million people in Thailand sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses and the city endured some of the worst impacts of poor air quality in the country, with over 5,000 premature deaths. Poor air quality has also affected tourism.
As part of Breathe Cities, Bangkok will receive support with gathering air quality data, capacity-building and community engagement, and join an international network of cities to share knowledge.
“As Governor, I recognise the critical importance of addressing air pollution in our city, and realize [that] the greatest environmental risks to human health are due to air pollution,” said Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok. “We, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, are firmly confident that the partnership among Breathe Cities members will help us improve air quality and shape public advocacy and policy measures for clean air in the city.”
Other cities in the Breathe Cities initiative include: Accra, Ghana; Brussels, Belgium; Jakarta, Indonesia; Johannesburg, South Africa; London, United Kingdom; Milan, Italy; Nairobi, Kenya; Paris, France; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Warsaw, Poland.