The Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable (PGAIR) has launched its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
The plan identifies key strategies for improving local air quality and three overarching goals developed to guide PGAIR’s efforts over the next five years:
- Improve air quality through plans and action
- Engage and inform the community about air quality and PGAIR
- PGAIR is an effective, action-oriented and collaborative organization
PGAIR formed in 1998 in response to evidence that poor air quality in the Prince George airshed was impacting the health and quality of life of residents. The roundtable group brings together leaders in multiple sectors including industry, transportation, health, academia, government and community to foster improvements in local outdoor air quality, with a focus on reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions due to the known impacts on health and the environment.
Since its formation, PM2.5 has been reduced in Prince George by approximately 29 per cent; however, PGAIR Manager Kim Menounos said “a lot of work has yielded big successes here. Further air quality improvement will depend on creative and collaborative action from all segments of the Prince George community – from industry, to government, to local residents. It’s all hands on deck now.”
To meet PGAIR’s vision of a Prince George airshed in which air quality contributes positively to human and environmental health while supporting social well-being and economic success, the new plan emphasizes action and collaboration on air quality from all sectors and highlights the importance of monitoring progress against PGAIR’s strategic objectives. The full plan and details about PGAIR are available at https://www.pgairquality.com/