Hold a campaign to help stop vehicle idling
Hosting an anti‑idling campaign is an effective way for communities, schools and businesses to:
- improve local air quality
- protect vulnerable people
- encourage cleaner driving behaviours
Vehicle idling
Vehicle idling is when drivers keep their engine on whilst parked or waiting.
This produces unnecessary emissions and contributes to air pollution.
Vehicle idling affects us in lots of ways.
How it affects our health
It emits pollutants (for example nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter) which are linked to:
- respiratory illnesses
- heart disease
- reduced lung function
These pollutants can worsen asthma, irritate lungs, and pose risks to children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.
How it affects the environment
These pollutants make local air quality worse.
Reducing idling is a simple, everyday action that can help improve air quality in:
- neighbourhoods
- school zones
- busy community areas
How it affects our finances
Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
Turning off the engine reduces fuel waste and cuts running costs for drivers, businesses, and fleet vehicles.
About anti-idling campaigns
Anti-idling campaigns should focus on education instead of enforcement.
They should encourage drivers to make responsible choices that benefit everyone.
The goals of the campaign are to improve local air quality, which improves the health of residents and creates a safer environment.
What is included in an anti-idling campaign
Campaigns could include:
- social media posts
- posters, signs and leaflets
- events in schools, car parks and public spaces (with permission)
- speaking to drivers (in businesses and community hotspots)
- volunteers helping to spread the message
Who can host a campaign
Anyone can host a campaign, icnluding:
- community groups
- schools
- businesses
How to host a campaign
You can hold the campaign in your local community, school or business. This could include:
- putting posters up
- sharing social media posts
- holding an event
Download resources
These websites have resources to help with your local campaign.
Idling Action have an Idling Action Pack which includes:
- a step-by-step guide on how to become a 'local air quality hero'
- a toolkit for drivers and fleets in businesses
Global Action Day have resources for schools on their pages, including:
- Clean Air Day, which has:
- lesson plans
- factsheets
- assembly plans for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3
- Clean Air for Schools Resource Pack, which has:
- leaflets
- stickers
- fact cards
Reading Council's 'Clean Air Living Matters (CALM)' campaign includes:
- videos
- guides
- case studies
View more resources on the Clean Air Hub and DEFRA UK Air (GOV.UK).
School travel plans
If your school has a school travel plan, an anti-idling campaign can contribute to one of your actions.
If your school does not have a travel plan
School travel plans (STPs) are developed, maintained and monitored by the whole school community. They promote sustainable travel and help to make it possible by:
- giving roles to people at the school (including students)
- setting up sustainable ways of travelling (for example walking zones and cycling policies)
- helping with lesson plans
Learn more about setting up a school travel plan.