The Air We Share: Turning Evidence into Action on Indoor Air Quality in Europe
We all have a right to breathe healthy air indoors — the spaces where we spend the vast majority of our lives. Yet, growing evidence from across Europe and from the IDEAL Cluster shows that indoor air quality can vary dramatically from one environment to another. Alarmingly, some of the poorest air quality is found in places meant to protect and support us most: schools and care homes.
Across Europe, children are exposed daily to complex mixtures of particulate matter, mould, allergens and chemical pollutants. These exposures are increasingly linked to immediate health effects, reduced cognitive performance and long-term risks that are still not fully understood. Despite this, indoor air quality remains significantly underrepresented in European policy frameworks, even as outdoor air pollution continues to dominate the agenda.
A turning point for European policy
Momentum is now building. Advances in sensing technologies, smart ventilation systems, building renovation strategies and digital tools — combined with renewed political attention following the COVID-19 pandemic — have created a unique window of opportunity. Achieving Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition will simply not be possible without addressing indoor environments.
The IDEAL Cluster — bringing together seven Horizon Europe projects, more than 120 organisations and over €50 million in investment — represents one of the most significant coordinated efforts to date to tackle this challenge. Its work goes beyond research: it is about translating scientific evidence into actionable policy, scalable solutions and real-world impact.
From research to results: engaging the European Commission
At the heart of the upcoming IDEAL Cluster Summit lies a clear objective: to bring the latest findings directly to European policymakers, and in particular to the European Commission, ensuring that the evidence generated is not only recognised, but actively used and embedded in future policy development.
The Summit will present:
- Key scientific findings from across the Cluster
- New evidence on health and socio-economic impacts
- Innovative technologies and practical solutions
- Policy recommendations and emerging standards
- A shared European roadmap towards clean indoor air
This is not simply a dissemination moment — it is a collective call to action to ensure that Europe fully leverages the results of its own research and innovation investments.
A collective effort across sectors
Hosted by the Lisbon Council and the EDIAQI project, the Summit reflects a strong commitment to bridging policy, academia and industry. Addressing indoor air quality requires coordinated, cross-sectoral action — connecting scientific knowledge with regulatory frameworks, and aligning innovation with public health priorities.
The Lisbon Council and EDIAQI are honoured to lead this collective effort, working alongside partners from across Europe to ensure that indoor air quality is placed firmly at the centre of policy discussions and future action.
Join us in Brussels
The IDEAL Cluster Summit — The Air We Share: shaping healthier indoor air quality in Europe and beyond — will take place on 9 June 2026 at the Residence Palace.
Bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and public authorities, the event will serve as a key milestone in advancing the European indoor air quality agenda.