National Clean Air Day
June 18
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. In 2026 it falls on Thursday 18 June.
What is National Clean Air Day?
National Clean Air Day is an annual UK awareness day run by Global Action Plan through its Action for Clean Air programme. The day aims to raise public understanding of how air pollution affects health, focusing in particular 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.
When is National Clean Air Day?
National Clean Air Day takes place on the third Thursday of June each year. In 2026 the date is Thursday 18 June. 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 Organization’s stricter 2021 air quality guidelines are still routinely exceeded across UK towns and cities.
How to Get Involved in National Clean Air Day
Action for Clean Air provides free resources for individuals, schools, healthcare staff, and employers:
- Walk, wheel, or cycle for one journey – Swap a short car journey for active travel; the campaign suggests trying it on Clean Air Day and seeing how it feels.
- Talk to your GP – The NHS now provides air quality alerts and advice; ask your surgery how you can manage exposure if you have asthma or COPD.
- Run a school assembly – Action for Clean Air provides free assembly materials, lesson plans, and posters for primary and secondary schools.
- Switch off engines – Idling outside school gates is a major source of pollution near children; the day is a chance to embed an anti-idling habit.
- Audit your workplace – Use Clean Air Day to look at staff travel plans, EV charging, deliveries, and indoor air quality.
- Sign the petition – Action for Clean Air runs an annual petition calling on the UK government to adopt the WHO’s stricter air quality limits.
- Share your story – Use #CleanAirDay to post about why clean air matters to you and your family, especially if you live with a lung or heart condition.
History of National Clean Air Day
Global Action Plan launched the first Clean Air Day in 2017 with backing from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and a coalition of health charities. The first event focused on the basics, helping people understand what air pollution is, where it comes from, and how to reduce exposure. Tens of thousands of people took part within months, and the campaign quickly became a fixture of the UK environmental calendar.
The campaign has expanded year on year. By 2019 the NHS was a major partner, and Clean Air Day became part of the wider transformation of how UK healthcare addresses environmental health. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health published a landmark report in 2020 linking pollution to lifelong harm in children, citing Clean Air Day as a key public engagement moment. Recent campaigns have focused on the health impact on women, the disproportionate burden on lower-income communities, and the need for clean air zones in cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Sheffield.
Noteworthy Facts About National Clean Air Day
- The first Clean Air Day was held in 2017.
- It is coordinated by Global Action Plan through its Action for Clean Air programme.
- Air pollution is linked to between 28,000 and 36,000 early deaths in the UK each year.
- The day takes place on the third Thursday of June.
- Partners include the NHS, Royal College of Physicians, and Asthma + Lung UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Clean Air Day?
The UK’s largest air pollution awareness day, run by environmental charity Global Action Plan to highlight the health impact of air pollution and how to reduce it.
When is National Clean Air Day in 2026?
Thursday 18 June 2026.
Who organises National Clean Air Day?
Environmental charity Global Action Plan, with support from the NHS, royal medical colleges, and many UK businesses and local authorities.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Clean Air Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtag #CleanAirDay on social media. The more people who push for clean air, the bigger the impact on policy and health.
Related Awareness Days
- World Asthma Day – Highlights how poor air quality drives asthma symptoms and attacks.
- World Bicycle Day – Promotes a low-pollution mode of transport that supports cleaner air.
- World Biodiversity Day – Connects clean air to wider environmental health.
Links
- Visit the official Clean Air Day page at Action for Clean Air
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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