The ClimAIr project is developing an accessible, easy-to-use web-based platform to understand and address the effects of air pollution and climate change on human health.
A recent project report outlines the initial requirements and design approach for this tool, creating the conditions for an Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) that will generate evidence-based knowledge on respiratory disease risks and facilitate informed decision-making across multiple sectors.
At the heart of this initiative is the ClimAIr Tool, an advanced web-based platform incorporating an Integrated Decision Support System designed to evaluate the impact of air pollutants and climate change on non-communicable respiratory diseases across Europe.
By the time the project concludes, the tool is expected to serve doctors, urban planners, policymakers, and citizen scientists, offering reliable information, including disease incidence predictions, educational materials on pollution and its health effects, and practical guidelines and recommendations to support decision-making.
The report covers both the initial platform requirements and the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.
The platform will be built following an agile management methodology, allowing its scope and functionalities to evolve continuously based on user needs and progress across the project’s various work packages. The primary user groups are medical professionals, modellers, and public policy decision-makers. Interviews were conducted with project partners representing these target profiles in order to identify their needs, tasks, expected benefits, and potential challenges.
The minimum viable product (MVP) will include essential features such as user authentication and profile management, models to assess respiratory disease incidence across different climate change scenarios, databases on pollution, allergen distribution,, and climate models, and a decision support system that brings together models and data to generate predictions and support analysis. It will also include data input and output tools with geospatial visualization, along with user documentation and support materials such as tutorials and training resources.
The platform is designed to be accessible, intuitive, and useful for both decision-makers and the general public, helping raise awareness of the effects of climate change and air pollution on health. This report serves as the starting point for the tool’s development, which will be continuously refined throughout the project to align with user requirements and overall project goals.
The ClimAIr Tool represents a meaningful step toward bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practical decision-making in climate change and air quality. Through the use of advanced modeling, accessible data, and user-centered design, the platform aims to deliver actionable insights to a wide range of stakeholders. As the project moves forward, ongoing user involvement and regular improvements will ensure the tool remains relevant and aligned with real-world needs.