Children tackle climate challenge for Clean Air Day 2026
Children across Wirral have been raising awareness about the impact of air pollution as the borough marks Clean Air Day 2026.
A total of eight primary schools - hosts and last year’s winners Grove Street, Cathcart Street, Co-op Academy Portland, Heswall, Prenton, Somerville, St Michael and All Angels and SS Peter and Paul - took part in the recent Cool Climate Challenge.
Pupils were tasked with developing creative project ideas to help educate parents and carers about air quality.
The children presented their ideas to a judging panel made up of the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Mary Jordan, representatives from Wirral Fox Rescue charity - whose community engagement team has been working with Wirral Council's Eco Schools Programme - and Victoria Chadderton, climate emergency and clean air officer at Wirral Council.
Heswall Primary was awarded first prize for its project focusing on idling car engines, highlighting the unnecessary pollution caused by vehicles left running outside schools.
Their initiative involved pupils creating home assembly packs, including photographs and resources, to help explain to families the environmental and financial impacts of engine idling.
As part of the project, the children will use an air quality monitor to measure pollution levels before and after their campaign, helping to demonstrate the real impact of behaviour change.
In addition, the school’s eco team plans to produce short videos about their work to share on social media and further spread awareness.
Each participating school will receive £250, funded by Wirral Council’s Public Health service, to deliver their projects over the next academic year. They will then present their findings and successes at a Clean Air Day 2027 event.
It was a pleasure to be part of the judging panel for the Cool Climate Challenge.
Congratulations to Heswall Primary School for being crowned winners and well done to all the children who took part. Every participant showed great innovation and creativity throughout.
I was highly impressed by the enthusiasm the pupils. They showed a genuine interest in wanting to help ensure that Wirral has the cleanest air possible in the present and the future.
The Council is committed to ensuring that residents, workers and visitors can enjoy the cleanest air possible in Wirral. Our strategy sets out a clear vision for improving air quality across the borough in the present and in the future.
“It is both inspiring and crucial that younger generations play a role in achieving our priorities – improving indoor/outdoor air quality, minimising the impact of development and raising public awareness to encourage positive action.
About Clean Air Day
Clean Air Day is the UK's largest air pollution campaign, organised through Action for Clean Air by Global Action Plan.
Wirral Council has implemented an Air Quality Strategy 2024–28, which provides a framework for future action to improve air quality within Wirral.
It is consistent with national guidelines and assists the council to achieve its objective of improving the air quality within Wirral to help to better the environment and the health and well-being of all residents and visitors to the area.
Air pollution is associated with around 30,000 deaths a year in the UK. Breathing in dirty air impacts us all and is linked to a range of health problems throughout our lives – from premature birth and childhood asthma to heart and lung disease, diabetes and strokes in later life.
Reducing levels of harmful air pollution in our communities will have immediate health benefits for us all, helping both children and adults live longer and healthier lives.
Cleaning up the air will not only improve everyone’s health, but it can also boost our local economy and help protect our natural environment.
