Today the City of London Corporation, in partnership with leading environmental charity Global Action Plan (GAP), is launching its Cleaner Air Action Day. The Action Day will support commuters, residents and business to deal with the increasing threat of dangerous air pollution sweeping across London.

Teams of ‘Air Quality Wardens’ will be out in force busting the myths around engine idling among drivers, and alongside the thirty businesses that have already pledged their support, asking motorists to turn their engines off when parked.

Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 4,000 Londoners each year and the recent bout of smog underscores the need for urgent action. The Action Days follow increasing awareness of the problem among politicians - the Mayor of London last week confirmed the world’s first Ultra –Low Emission Zone and Westminster Council joined a number of London Local authorities in announcing that their parking wardens will fine motorists who are idling £20 if they do not switch off their engines.

The City of London Corporation and Global Action Plan’s approach seeks to use behaviour change methods to prevent and reduce the problem, by engaging businesses and motorists on the levels of air pollution created by engine idling.

Commenting, Jon Averns, Director of Public Protection at the City of London Corporation said:

“We are determined to tackle the problems that poor air quality creates for Londoners, who face the highest levels in the UK. Tackling idling engines is an important part of this strategy and we will continue to work with the capital’s residents and businesses to find creative solutions to the challenges posed by air pollution.”

Commenting, Andy Deacon, Managing Partner at Global Action Plan, added:

“Today’s initiative is all about raising greater awareness of the deadly impact of air pollution in London and supporting drivers to take practical and positive steps to remedy the situation. We want all of the City’s businesses to get involved and sign-up to our pledge to reduce engine idling among their drivers, after all it is better for wallets, engines and everyone’s health to do so.” 

Leaving an engine running causes unnecessary air pollution in the form of nitrogen dioxide, which causes smog and has a major effect on human health, causing are respiratory problems and inflammation the lining of the lungs which reduces immunity to lung infections like bronchitis.