Stantec’s air quality team is supporting Reading Borough Council in raising awareness around air quality.
Stantec, a leading provider of sustainable design and engineering services, has supported Reading Borough Council in securing DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) funding to deliver an air quality awareness and behavioural change programme in local primary and secondary schools.
Stantec’s transport and air quality teams worked together to submit a winning bid for the council, securing funding from DEFRA’s Clean Air Grant. This grant was set up by the Government to support local authorities with measures that help schools, businesses and communities in reducing the impact of air pollution.
Reading Borough Council was awarded £327,000 from the funding and is embarking on a project to deliver a behavioural change campaign called Clean Air Living Matters (CALM) to schools in the region, working with Design Nature (a local community interest company), the University of Reading, and Stantec. The programme aims to increase awareness around the importance of good air quality and showcase day-to-day solutions to pupils, parents, and the wider community.
The programme is being built into key stage lesson plans, assemblies, activity days and workshops in primary and secondary schools around Reading. Stantec is involved in delivering the campaign through providing advice and expertise around technical and scientific elements, air quality sensors for the schools, as well as supporting STEM-based activities in the classrooms. Stantec consultants are also taking the opportunity to highlight the benefits of environmentally focused career paths for future generations.
Rob McDonald, Director of Future Mobility and Smart Cities, Stantec commented: “We have held a fantastic relationship with Reading Borough Council for over 20 years, supporting them in a wide range of transport planning, strategy, environmental and engineering projects with the ADEPT research and development project a recent example. We’re delighted to have been able to leverage our extensive experience in bidding for government funding to support this current education programme which will drive positive behaviour change.
“Air quality is a growing concern in the UK, an invisible threat in our urban environments, not only from transport emissions but also from wood burning and particulate matter. We’re looking forward to using our technical expertise to support this council and other local authorities with their efforts.”
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport at Reading Borough Council, said: “Our Defra-funded school air quality awareness programme is a great opportunity to engage with children about this important issue.
“It helps to raise awareness of the harm that air pollution, and particulates specifically, can do to health. These interactive school sessions also arm young people with the knowledge they and their families need to take action to improve air quality.”
For more information about Stantec and its holistic range of interdisciplinary services, visit www.stantec.com/uk.
