A scientific tool for the environment

In 2025, in addition to its air quality measurement and information missions, the Generali balloon of Paris will be raising public awareness of climate change.

ballon-temp

The balloon displays in real time on its envelope :

  • The increase in the average annual temperature compared to the pre-industrial era, worldwide and in Europe.
  • The increase in the average monthly temperature in Europe compared to the 1991–2020 reference period averages.

To this end, it is collaborating with the Climate and Atmosphere departments of Copernicus, the European Commission’s Earth observation program. These services, implemented by ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), join the balloon’s circle of scientific partners.

copernicus-5logos

MORE ABOUT ECMFW COPERNICUS

Climate indicators displayed on the balloon envelope

Thanks to our partnership with ECMWF-Copernicus

thermometer
2024
+1.56°C
Globe
1850-1900

Increase in average annual temperature in the world

compared to the pre-industrial era

thermometer
2024
+2.96°C
Europe
1850-1900

Increase in average annual temperature in Europe

compared to the pre-industrial era

thermometer
Mars 2025
+2.41°C
Europe
1991-2020

Increase in average monthly temperature in Europe

compared to the averages of the reference periods 1991-2020

A long scientific career

Since 2008, the Paris balloon has been informing Parisians about air quality by changing color according to pollution levels according to the ATMO index, based on the most problematic pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and fine particles).

The ATMO index, published by Airparif since January 1, 2021, is a qualitative daily index of air quality. It illustrates the quantity of the five most problematic pollutants for air quality – ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and suspended particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) – with the following color palette:

symboles-qualité-de-lair

img3

In 2013, the Generali Balloon of Paris became a flying laboratory for air quality, carrying scientific measuring instruments.

The balloon measures 3 atmospheric pollutants in real time, from 0 to 300 m

PHOTO-2025-03-28-10-13-36

Particulate Matters

From 2013, the balloon will measure Particulate Matters in ambient air, in real time from the ground up to a height of 150 meters (300 meters for some flights), using the LOAC instrument, in partnership with the LPC2E laboratory of the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique).

Ozone

From 2018, other instruments will be added, notably to study Ozone in real time, in collaboration with the LISA laboratory.

Pollens

Since 2024, the balloon has housed a dedicated pollen sensor. Its measurements can be consulted via the Live Pollen application (Lify Air), which also offers an alert system for its users.

Measuring greenhouse gases

Since 2024, the Generali balloon of Paris has also been measuring the main greenhouse gases (GHGs) with methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor sensors (grouped together in a single LSCE – ICOS box) as part of the European ICOS Cities program.

The balloon measures these 3 key elements linked to global warming in real time

metanech4

Methane

The methane (CH4) sensor installed by ICOS and supported by the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE) is furthering our knowledge of greenhouse gases in cities. Although not directly harmful to human health, methane is responsible for half of all increases in ground-level ozone, a recognized air pollutant.

co2

Carbon dioxide

Also measured by a sensor in the European ICOS network, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main gas responsible for the greenhouse effect and therefore for climate change.
In 2022, for the first time, global average CO2 concentrations exceeded pre-industrial values by 50%.

vapeur-eau

Water vapor

Why does the ICOS/LSCE sensor measure this seemingly harmless element? Because water vapour (H2O) plays a major role in the climate system, as a powerful greenhouse gas and cloud-forming agent. It also has a feedback effect: it reacts very quickly to temperature variations induced by persistent greenhouse gases such as CO2.