Getting from (PM)2.5 to Zero: Towards Solutions Part 2

Roadshow Recap from Session Stop #6, November 11

“We need to get to specific, sustainable agendas to move more of what we know into more of what we do; and sustain it.”- Jessica Seddon, WRI

One specific challenge that cities and states are faced with when trying to tackle air pollution and emissions is that of how to finance the transformative change to energy, transportation, industrial, agricultural, and other systems necessary. The IFC’s Steven Baillie and Max Klotz shared the idea of the Breathe Better Bond, one model under development that could help cities raise capital specifically for those projects that help move the needle on air pollution. This also helps cities meet their carbon emissions reduction goals, while improving air quality and health in the city. However, in order to capitalize a bond, the right market for investment has to be there, as well as a certain baseline of data on which to measure the air quality improvement results. This means that this kind of investment modality may not be viable for cities that are not able to raise debt (don’t have a strong credit rating) or don’t yet have the air quality monitoring information in place to be able to accurately track results.

“[Air quality] monitoring is really just the start. The bigger piece is source apportion and emission inventory, which is the most important part when designing and identifying projects that will be most impactful both in terms of financial and air pollution reduction.”- Max Klotz, IFC

“There is a lot of interest [on the issue of air pollution] on the ground. The problem is there is no common language to talk about solutions whether at the local or national level. The [technical information] translation work takes a lot of time and building the capacity from the ground up and from the top down needs to happen simultaneously…We provide responsive research, evidence and data, and bridge the technical understanding with what it means for stakeholders on the ground by translating the research in a way that connects with the people.”- Isabella Suarez, CREA

“For an employer, a healthy workforce is a productive workforce; but if they can also understand how different members of their workforce experience air pollution differently, both directly and indirectly, then that might help to identify measures than can help better.”- Diane Archer, SEI

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We are a self-organized, citizen-driven project focused on humanity’s big challenges\\ circulardesignlab.org \\ @circular_lab

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Circular Design Lab

We are a self-organized, citizen-driven project focused on humanity’s big challenges\\ circulardesignlab.org \\ @circular_lab