Clean Tech for Clean Air Coalition Launches in Brussels to Champion Small Sensor Technology in EU Air Quality Framework

Today marks the official launch of Clean Tech for Clean Air (CT4CA), a pivotal new coalition established in Brussels with the express purpose of advocating for the integrated role of small sensor technology within Europe’s evolving clean air framework. This initiative arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with the implementation of the revised EU Air Quality Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/2881), which mandates stricter air quality standards and requires Member States to enhance their monitoring and action plans. The coalition’s formation underscores a growing recognition that while ambitious policy is essential, its effective execution hinges on robust, granular, and actionable data.

Spearheaded by Wiktor Warchałowski, the CEO and Co-Founder of Airly, a prominent Polish company specializing in innovative air quality monitoring solutions, CT4CA brings together a formidable group of leading European and international firms. The founding members include Ecomesure and Ellona from France, Kunak Technologies from Spain, and Clarity Movement Co. from the United States. Collectively, these five companies represent a deep wellspring of expertise in the design, development, and deployment of small sensor systems, advanced environmental data analytics, and comprehensive air quality monitoring solutions. Their combined technological prowess and market presence position CT4CA as a significant advocate for data-driven environmental policy.

The establishment of CT4CA is directly responsive to the urgent need for enhanced tools and methodologies to achieve Europe’s ambitious clean air goals. As EU Member States embark on the complex process of translating the revised Air Quality Directive into national legislation and operational strategies, the coalition aims to ensure that public authorities are equipped with the necessary data, technological tools, and technical expertise. This empowerment is deemed crucial for a more profound understanding of local pollution patterns, for the refinement of air quality planning, and, most importantly, for the effective translation of scientific information into concrete, impactful actions that safeguard public health.

The Pervasive Threat of Air Pollution in Europe

Despite significant strides made by European nations in curbing air pollution over the past decades, the challenge remains far from eradicated. Data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) consistently highlights the persistent exposure of European citizens to harmful air pollutants. According to the EEA’s "Harm to human health from air pollution: Burden of disease status 2025" report, an alarming 95 percent of urban residents in Europe are still exposed to air pollutant concentrations that exceed the stringent guideline levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This statistic underscores the pervasive nature of air pollution and its continued impact on public health across the continent.

The health consequences of prolonged exposure to polluted air are severe and multifaceted. Air pollution is a well-established exacerbating factor for chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, leading to increased hospitalizations and reduced quality of life for millions. Beyond respiratory ailments, emerging scientific evidence strongly links air pollution to a range of serious cardiovascular and oncological diseases, including ischaemic heart disease and lung cancer. These conditions contribute to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually, representing a substantial public health burden. Furthermore, a growing body of research is illuminating the connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. Studies suggest that the overall disease burden attributable to air pollution may be underestimated and could potentially exceed that of many other recognized environmental and lifestyle-related health risks, emphasizing the critical need for more comprehensive and proactive mitigation strategies.

Bridging the Gap Between Ambition and Implementation

The core contention of CT4CA is that as Europe transitions from setting clean air aspirations to the critical phase of policy implementation, public authorities require more granular, localized, and actionable data. Understanding precisely where pollution is occurring, identifying the populations most at risk of exposure, and accurately assessing the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures are all contingent upon access to this detailed information. Traditional, large-scale fixed monitoring stations, while indispensable for regulatory compliance and providing high-level data, often lack the spatial resolution to capture the micro-environmental variations in air quality that directly impact individuals in their daily lives.

This is where the innovative potential of high-quality small sensor systems comes into play. CT4CA asserts that these advanced technologies can serve as a powerful complement to existing monitoring infrastructures. By enabling authorities to identify localized pollution hotspots with greater precision, small sensors can significantly strengthen the density and coverage of national monitoring networks. This enhanced capability allows for more targeted interventions and resource allocation, ensuring that efforts to improve air quality are focused precisely where people are most exposed and where pollution levels are most critical. The coalition believes that this data-driven approach is essential for making the revised EU Air Quality Directive a tangible success story for European citizens.

CT4CA’s Key Calls to Action

In its inaugural statement, CT4CA has articulated a clear set of calls to action directed at policymakers and stakeholders across the European Union. While the specific details of these calls are being finalized, the overarching objective is to foster an environment where small sensor technology is recognized, integrated, and leveraged effectively within the broader clean air policy landscape. The coalition is expected to advocate for:

• Enhanced Integration of Small Sensor Data: CT4CA will push for regulatory frameworks that formally recognize and integrate data generated by calibrated and validated small sensor networks into official air quality assessment and reporting mechanisms. This includes establishing clear guidelines for data quality assurance and interoperability.
• Support for Technological Innovation and Deployment: The coalition aims to secure policy support, potentially through funding mechanisms and public procurement initiatives, that encourages the development, deployment, and widespread adoption of advanced small sensor technologies by both public authorities and private entities.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: CT4CA plans to play a proactive role in facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building among public officials and environmental practitioners. This will involve providing training, best practice guides, and platforms for sharing experiences in utilizing small sensor data for policy-making and public engagement.
• Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships: The coalition will advocate for collaborative models that leverage the expertise and technological capabilities of the private sector, working alongside public institutions to develop innovative solutions for air quality monitoring and management.
• Focus on Localized Actionable Insights: A central theme will be the emphasis on translating raw sensor data into actionable insights that can inform specific local interventions, such as traffic management schemes, urban planning decisions, and public health advisories tailored to community needs.

Background and Chronology of the Initiative

The genesis of CT4CA can be traced back to a growing awareness within the clean technology sector of the challenges and opportunities presented by the revised EU Air Quality Directive. The directive, which was formally adopted in early 2024 and aims to align EU standards more closely with WHO recommendations, signaled a significant policy shift and a heightened ambition for cleaner air across the continent. The need for more sophisticated and ubiquitous monitoring solutions became apparent as the directive’s requirements for more granular data and localized action plans became clearer.

Discussions among leading small sensor companies, including the founders of CT4CA, began to coalesce around the idea of a unified voice to advocate for their technologies. Airly, with its extensive experience in deploying dense sensor networks and providing real-time air quality data to municipalities and citizens across Europe, emerged as a natural leader. The company’s CEO, Wiktor Warchałowski, recognized the potential for a collective effort to influence policy and ensure that innovative solutions were not overlooked in the implementation phase of the new directive.

Formal discussions among the founding companies – Airly, Ecomesure, Ellona, Kunak Technologies, and Clarity Movement Co. – intensified throughout late 2023 and early 2024. These discussions focused on identifying common goals, potential policy roadblocks, and the most effective strategies for engaging with EU institutions in Brussels. The companies, each bringing unique technological strengths and market insights, identified a shared vision for a future where comprehensive, real-time air quality data from diverse sources, including small sensors, informs effective policy and protects public health.

The decision to formally launch the coalition in Brussels was strategic, placing CT4CA at the heart of EU policymaking. The official launch event today signifies the culmination of these preparatory efforts and the beginning of the coalition’s active advocacy work.

Supporting Data and the Case for Small Sensors

The effectiveness of small sensor technology in complementing traditional monitoring is supported by several key data points and analytical arguments:

• Spatial Resolution: Traditional regulatory monitoring stations are often sparsely distributed, leading to significant gaps in coverage. Small sensors, being more affordable and deployable in larger numbers, can create dense monitoring networks. For instance, a single city might have only a handful of reference stations, but hundreds or even thousands of small sensors, providing a far more detailed picture of air quality across different neighborhoods, streets, and even indoor environments. This granular data allows for the identification of micro-environments where pollution levels are significantly higher due to local factors like traffic congestion, industrial activity, or building configurations.
• Real-time Data Streams: Many small sensor systems are designed to provide data in near real-time, often updated every few minutes. This contrasts with the more infrequent sampling of some traditional methods. Real-time data is invaluable for issuing immediate public health advisories during pollution episodes, for dynamic traffic management, and for enabling rapid response to pollution incidents.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While not a replacement for reference-grade monitors, the lower cost of small sensor units makes extensive monitoring networks economically feasible for many municipalities that might otherwise be constrained by budget limitations. This democratizes access to air quality data, empowering a wider range of stakeholders.
• Identification of Pollution Hotspots: Studies have repeatedly shown that small sensor networks can accurately identify localized pollution hotspots that are often missed by sparse regulatory monitoring. For example, research has demonstrated significant variations in particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide concentrations on different sides of a street or within different urban canyons, highlighting the importance of dense monitoring.
• Public Engagement and Awareness: By making real-time air quality data accessible to the public through user-friendly platforms and mobile applications, small sensor networks can significantly enhance public awareness and engagement with air quality issues. This can empower citizens to make informed decisions about their activities and advocate for cleaner air policies. Airly, for example, reports millions of users accessing their real-time air quality maps, demonstrating a strong public demand for this information.

Broader Impact and Implications for Public Health and Policy

The successful integration of small sensor technology into Europe’s clean air framework, championed by CT4CA, carries profound implications:

• Improved Public Health Outcomes: By enabling more precise identification of pollution sources and exposures, authorities can implement more targeted and effective interventions. This can lead to a measurable reduction in air pollution-related illnesses, premature deaths, and the associated healthcare costs. The long-term benefits, particularly in mitigating the risks of chronic diseases and neurodegenerative conditions, could be substantial.
• Enhanced Policy Effectiveness: The detailed, localized data provided by small sensors will allow policymakers to better assess the impact of their strategies, identify areas for improvement, and allocate resources more efficiently. This data-driven approach fosters evidence-based policymaking, leading to more robust and impactful environmental regulations.
• Increased Citizen Empowerment: Accessible and understandable air quality data empowers citizens to make informed choices about their health and well-being, and to actively participate in shaping their urban environment. This can foster greater trust between citizens and authorities, and build broader support for environmental initiatives.
• Economic Opportunities: The growth in demand for small sensor technology and data analytics services will stimulate innovation and create new economic opportunities within the clean technology sector, fostering job creation and technological advancement across Europe.
• Contribution to Climate Goals: While primarily focused on air quality, improved monitoring and understanding of air pollution can also contribute to broader climate goals. For instance, identifying sources of particulate matter, which can also have warming or cooling effects on the climate, can lead to co-benefits for both air quality and climate mitigation.

Reactions and Future Outlook

While specific official reactions to the launch of CT4CA are still emerging, the initiative is likely to be met with interest and cautious optimism from various stakeholders. Environmental agencies within EU Member States, tasked with implementing the new directive, will likely view the coalition’s expertise as a valuable resource. Public health organizations, which have long advocated for stricter air quality standards, will welcome any initiative that promises to enhance monitoring and accelerate action.

The European Commission, which drives EU environmental policy, will be a key audience for CT4CA’s advocacy. The coalition’s efforts to demonstrate the tangible benefits of small sensor technology in achieving the directive’s objectives could significantly influence future policy development and funding priorities. Industry associations representing sectors affected by air quality regulations will also be observing the coalition’s progress, potentially seeking to engage in constructive dialogue.

Looking ahead, CT4CA’s success will depend on its ability to effectively communicate its message, build strong partnerships, and demonstrate the tangible impact of small sensor technology through pilot projects and case studies. The coalition’s proactive stance at this crucial moment in EU air quality policy implementation positions it to play a significant role in shaping a cleaner, healthier future for Europe. The coming months will be critical as Member States begin to transpose the revised Air Quality Directive into national law, and CT4CA’s advocacy will be instrumental in ensuring that innovative technological solutions are an integral part of this vital process.