National Clean Air Day – 18th June 2026
About National Clean Air Day
National Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution awareness campaign, coordinated each year by environmental charity Global Action Plan. The day brings together schools, employers, healthcare providers, and local authorities to highlight the health impacts of air pollution and to push for cleaner air.
The day aims to raise public understanding of how air pollution affects health, focusing on children, older people, and those with existing heart and lung conditions. It is supported by the NHS, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, British Heart Foundation, Asthma + Lung UK, and many local authorities and businesses.
The campaign runs activities and toolkits throughout the run-up, with online and in-person events held on the day itself in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and town centres across the UK. The official hashtag is #CleanAirDay.
Why National Clean Air Day Matters
Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to UK public health. Public Health England has linked long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide to between 28,000 and 36,000 premature deaths per year in the UK. Air pollution is associated with heart disease, stroke, asthma, lung cancer, dementia, low birth weight, and stunted lung development in children. Even short-term spikes in pollution can trigger asthma attacks and heart attacks. Despite some progress on reducing certain pollutants, the World Health Organisation’s stricter 2021 air quality guidelines are still routinely exceeded across UK towns and cities.
The campaign encourages practical actions to improve air quality, including walking, cycling, or wheeling instead of short car journeys, switching off idling engines, and running school assemblies to educate children about air pollution.
The day serves as both an educational and advocacy platform, encouraging citizens and policymakers to take action for cleaner air.
Visit the Global Action Plan website for more information, support and ways to get involved: https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/clean-air-day
Promoting the Trade Union Clean Air Network.
TUCAN (Trade Union Clean Air Network) is an alliance of trade unions and campaign organisations. There are currently thirteen unions alongside the CWU, and other organisations who signed up to the TUCAN Charter in 2019. This charter forms part of the ongoing work needed to make sure that air pollution in the workplace is given the attention it needs. The CWU have now registered an interest in membership of the TUCAN Steering Group.
The TUCAN resource web pages offer a range of resources to trade union representatives, members, and others who want to take up this issue in their workplaces and communities.
TUCAN Resources – Greener Jobs Alliance
This LTB is shared on behalf of CWU Central Services.
If you have any questions or need any further information, or have a specific interest in our ongoing work with TUCAN, please contact:
Jamie McGovern FRSPH MIIAI
CWU Health & Safety Policy Assistant at
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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