Your school's role in helping lower engine emissions, improve local air quality, and support health and wellbeing
We are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that human activity can have on the environment and want to support ways to reduce it, especially when it comes to vehicle emissions.
Around one in four cars on the road each morning is on the school run. Together, these journeys are responsible for around half a million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions each year in the UK, more than some small countries.
If more students walk, cycle, wheel or scoot to school, or walk the last 10 minutes of their journey, fewer cars will be needed at the school gates. This can make the area around the school safer and improve air quality for everyone.
There are also important health benefits. Around 20% of 11-year-olds are already obese, which shows why it is important to encourage young people to consider more active ways of travelling to school. The school journey can be a simple way to build physical activity into the day, especially as Physical Education hours in secondary schools have fallen by 20% over the past five years.
Schools have an important role to play in raising awareness and encouraging people to choose more sustainable and healthy ways to travel. By promoting active travel and running activities that support these goals, schools can help pupils, parents, carers and staff make positive travel choices while contributing to wider environmental and health benefits.
How we can help
Our Safer Travel Team can support schools with a range of sustainable travel initiatives and resources. Find out more below.