Today (19 June 2025) is Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution.
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, cycling or walking, 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.
Cllr Steve Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“Clean Air Day is an important reminder of the steps we can all take to improve air quality. Waverley Borough Council is committed to do everything it can to improve air quality, particularly in the vicinity of our schools and we see our Clean Air Strategy as closely linked to our net-zero carbon goals and the action we are taking on climate change.
“We are working with stakeholders, developers and community groups to increase access to public transport, encourage local cycling, wheeling and walking infrastructure and facilitate the switch to electric vehicles. We are also working with partners, including local businesses and public sector bodies, to improve air quality across the borough.
“We encourage everyone to make small changes that collectively make a big difference. Together, we can work towards a cleaner and greener Waverley.”
There are currently 44 public EV charging bays in Waverley with more to be added in due course. The council also has 28 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.
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
Later in the year, Guildford will be holding a Cleaner Air Day - 28 September: Guildford Cleaner Air Day