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Citizen Science for Transformative Air Quality Policy in Germany and Niger

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Lepenies

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Department of Environmental Politics, 0431 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Ibrahim Sidi Zakari

    (Laboratory of Mathematics and Applications, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, 10662 Niamey, Niger)

Abstract

How can citizen science projects advance the achievement of transformative air quality-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Germany and Niger? We investigate the promise of using citizen-generated data (CGD) as an input for official SDG monitoring and implementation in a multidisciplinary project, based on activities undertaken in Niger and Germany ranging from surveys, action research, policy and legislative analysis and environmental monitoring in Niamey and Leipzig, respectively. We critically describe and evaluate the great potential, but very limited actual use of CGD sources for these global goals in both contexts from technical and policy perspectives. Agenda 2030 provides an opportunity to tackle indoor and outdoor air quality in a more integrated and transformative perspective. However, we find this agenda to be remarkably absent in air quality policy and monitoring plans. Likewise, we find no meaningful links of existing citizen science initiatives to official air quality policy. We propose how SDGs-aligned citizen science initiatives could make major contributions to environmental and health monitoring and public debate, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This however requires researchers to more strategically link these initiatives to policymakers and policy frameworks, such as SDG indicators and the governance structures in which they are embedded.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Lepenies & Ibrahim Sidi Zakari, 2021. "Citizen Science for Transformative Air Quality Policy in Germany and Niger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3973-:d:529352
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jeffrey D. Sachs & Guido Schmidt-Traub & Mariana Mazzucato & Dirk Messner & Nebojsa Nakicenovic & Johan Rockström, 2019. "Six Transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(9), pages 805-814, September.
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    4. Miguel Ángel Queiruga-Dios & Emilia López-Iñesta & María Diez-Ojeda & María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares & José Benito Vázquez Dorrío, 2020. "Citizen Science for Scientific Literacy and the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Formal Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Jari Lyytimäki & Hanna Salo & Robert Lepenies & Leonie Büttner & Jyri Mustajoki, 2020. "Risks of producing and using indicators of sustainable development goals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1528-1538, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sachit Mahajan & Ming-Kuang Chung & Jenny Martinez & Yris Olaya & Dirk Helbing & Ling-Jyh Chen, 2022. "Translating citizen-generated air quality data into evidence for shaping policy," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. El Bachir Diop & Jérôme Chenal & Stéphane Cédric Koumetio Tekouabou & Rida Azmi, 2022. "Crowdsourcing Public Engagement for Urban Planning in the Global South: Methods, Challenges and Suggestions for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.

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