Today is Clean Air Day 2023

Today (15 June) is Clean Air Day, the UK's largest air pollution campaign.

Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.

Individuals can play a key role in improving air quality. From reducing your own contribution to air pollution to using your voice to call for cleaner air, everyone can take part in Clean Air Day.

Clean Air Day is important because it:

• focuses attention on air pollution and cuts through to new audiences;
• helps to improve public understanding and increase level of air pollution busting behaviours;
• showcases that a cleaner air future is both possible and desirable;
• demonstrates large-scale support for clear air, giving decision-makers a mandate to implement the system changes required.

What can I do?

Individuals can get involved in Clean Air Day by:

• learning about clean air by finding out how it impacts our mental, physical and planet's health;
• taking action by walking, cycling or using public transport to reduce your exposure and contribution to air pollution;
• asking for change by getting in touch with local decision-makers and asking them to support measures that make it easier for you to breathe clean air.

What can businesses do?

Companies can play a big role in raising awareness of the need for clean air, taking action to improve air quality in and around their estate, within their business model and supply chains, alongside mitigating the effects on staff, customers and communities.

Companies that consider how their business is contributing to adverse air pollution will be asserting their corporate responsibility to respect the right to a clean and healthy environment.

By pursuing a clean air agenda, companies can deliver on several sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and HR objectives.

Employers have a duty of care to the health and safety of their employees while at work, this includes the air their workers' breathe, especially indoor air.

While businesses may view addressing air pollution as part of their risk management approach to business, there are numerous opportunities to be gained by addressing air quality within the workplace and wider operations.

In tackling air pollution, synergies with corporate efforts to address climate change and attempts to meet net zero will be born, as well as generating cost savings, and provide another lens to pursue innovative new ways of working, which will be cleaner and greener.

Progressive action will appeal to new recruits, customers and investors, demonstrating that such companies are future-thinking, and part of the solution to the global air pollution crisis.

More information on Clean Air Day

You can find out more information from the Global Action Plan website on:

• air pollution facts;
• air pollution and health;
• air pollution and the environment;
• what I can do?