Today (20 June 2024) is Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, which this year will be raising awareness that cars and vans are the biggest source of pollution in our air.
There are simple steps we can all take to cut down on the pollution we cause and, as part of this year’s campaign, the organisers have created several pledges each of us can adopt to reduce air pollution, whether that is by using the car less, taking public transport more often, or learning more about air pollution.
The council will be encouraging its own staff and councillors to take a pledge and do their bit towards cutting down their own contribution to air pollution.
What you can do to support the day:
- Find out more about how air pollution impacts our mental, physical and planet’s health. There is lots of useful information and resources you can download, including Pledge cards, on the Clean Air Day website.
- Reduce your emissions and protect your health by calculating your air pollution contribution
- Where possible, walk, wheel or use public transport to reduce your exposure to and your own contribution to air pollution. Again, if you can, leave your car behind on Clean Air Day.
Waverley Borough Council’s Assistant Director of Regulatory Services, Richard Homewood said: “Air pollution remains the biggest environmental threat to our health, and it affects us all, no matter your age or where you live, so we hope residents will join us in supporting the campaign.
“As a council who declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, and made a commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2030, we have been taking significant steps to address climate change and promote sustainability within the borough.
“This includes reducing our carbon footprint in our buildings, adding to our EV fleet and working with partners such as Surrey County Council, Town and Parish councils as well as local active travel groups to improve walking, wheeling and cycling networks, improve road safety and promote active and sustainable travel. In addition, we are installing cycle shelters, and supporting Surrey County Council’s on-demand bus service and other community transport across the borough.”
There are currently 19 public EV charging bays in Waverley with more to be added in due course. The council also has 10 on street charging bays as part of a major Surrey trial.
In its efforts to improve air quality, the council has developed an Air Quality Action Plan and a Clean Air Strategy which look to tackle air quality in the borough over the next five years. It is also supporting the rollout of 5G mobile coverage to reduce the need to commute and make business trips, looking into ways of reducing congestion and working jointly with partners in Surrey, including Surrey County Council and the NHS, to promote schools active travel, tackle highway concerns and support public health initiatives.
Mr Homewood added: “Everybody can have a positive impact on air quality and of course it’s not just about one day but making the little changes every day. I hope residents will get on board and help us work towards a cleaner and greener Waverley.”
Information on how to get involved and how to download the pledges is available on the Clean Air Day website: www.cleanairday.org.uk – if you would like to share a picture of your pledge, please do so on the council’s social media channels, on Facebook @WaverleyBC, Twitter @WaverleyBC or Instagram waverley_bc