Pilot Project “Breathe, Riga!” Launched – Pupils will Measure Air Quality in the City Centre
The pilot project “Breathe, Riga!” has officially launched. As part of the initiative, schoolchildren from several central Riga schools will participate in a study by carrying air quality sensors on their backpacks throughout the autumn and into winter. These sensors will collect data on air pollution levels in Riga’s city centre.
The project is inspired by “Breathe London”, where local communities help gather air quality data across different London neighborhoods.
Participating schools include Riga Culture Secondary School, Riga Secondary School No. 21, Riga Natālija Draudziņa Secondary School, Riga Secondary School No. 49, and Riga State Gymnasium No. 1. From September through winter, these pupils will collect real-time data as they move through the city in their daily routines. The data will help map exactly where and when air pollution in central Riga is most severe.
This evidence will support smarter, data-driven decisions to improve the city’s air quality through targeted, effective solutions.
Jānis Brizga, a representative of the NGO “Green Liberty” and researcher at the University of Latvia, notes that the project will study not only sensor data, but also the participants’ mobility habits and attitudes: “We’ll assess whether and how young people’s travel behavior changes when they become more aware of air quality in Riga. We’ll explore their views on safety and the environment, and identify which factors — such as infrastructure, parental support, or peer influence — encourage or hinder environmentally friendly mobility. These insights will help us understand what truly works and provide practical recommendations to Riga Municipality for creating a safer, more sustainable urban environment.”
Alongside data collection, students and their science teachers will delve deeper into topics such as:
- Types and spread of air pollution
- EU and Latvian environmental policy
- Data analysis and visualization
- “Green architecture”
- The impact of air pollution on human health and ecosystems
Students will then share their knowledge with peers through digital content and in-person events.
“Breathe, Riga!” is being implemented under the NetZero Cities “PilotCities” program by the Riga Energy Agency in cooperation with Green Liberty and the University of Latvia. The long-term goal is to reduce urban emissions and improve air quality by encouraging more sustainable mobility habits.
Currently, private transport dominates in Riga, putting pressure on air quality. Public transport – buses, trams, and trolleybuses – typically causes less pollution per passenger than private cars. Private vehicles are responsible for about 43% of the city’s total CO₂ emissions, with the highest traffic loads observed in and around the city centre. During peak commuting hours, congestion is especially severe, leading to poorer air quality and rising CO₂ levels.
Since October 2023, Riga has been developing an Air Quality Improvement Action Plan for 2026–2030. The city aims to make public transport the dominant mode of transport by 2050. Planned measures include:
- Expanding tram lines
- Introducing a unified ticketing system across the Riga region
- Reducing central city parking
- Expanding the cycling path network
The goal is to build a more compact, healthier, climate-friendly, and economically resilient city — one where walking, cycling, and public transport are the natural choice for daily travel.