Care4Air is a new South Yorkshire wide campaign, aimed at raising awareness of air quality issues in the region. Through encouraging both businesses and individuals to consider reducing unnecessary vehicle use, becoming energy efficient and reducing emissions through the use of new technology the campaign will ensure that everyone in South Yorkshire is aware of the benefits of improving air quality for all residents.

Care4Air is part of the Air Quality Action Plans developed by the Borough Councils of Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham in response to the Government’s National Air Quality Strategy.

The campaign was launched in March 2004 and aims to engage all communities, including local businesses, throughout South Yorkshire.

Care4Air will be highlighting the work which the local authorities and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive are doing to improve air quality across the region. The campaign will also communicate the message that everyone can contribute to improving air quality, for example through reducing their car use and being more aware of the environmental impact of their actions.

Local people will be informed of the benefits of improving air quality and links will be made to health improvement (through improved air quality and increased exercise), and the fact that improving the environment positively impacts on regeneration.

Areas that suffer from social deprivation in South Yorkshire generally tend to have poor air quality. Therefore, improving air quality across the region aims to reduce the adverse impact of poor air quality on socially disadvantaged groups which will in turn contribute to the regeneration of the region.

The Campaign
Utilising a high profile publicity campaign, the regional media, local events and a campaign website, local people will be encouraged to raise their awareness of air quality issues and how they can play a part in improving air quality for all.

The Care4Air campaign aims to:

• Promote the idea that clean air is everyone’s business
• Encourage non-public transport users to use buses, trams and trains for their journeys within the South Yorkshire region
• Inform the residents of South Yorkshire of the air quality work that is currently being carried out across the County by the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities.

The key partners involved are:

• Sheffield City Council
• Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
• South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
• SY Travelwise

Through the Care4Air Awards scheme, individuals, organisations and companies will be recognised across the region for their contribution towards improving air quality in a number of areas, such as schools and businesses.

	Background information Air quality is now a major environmental issue in the UK. In recognition of this, the Government has produced targets for a set of air pollutants that must be met over a period of time. All but two of the targets will be met across South Yorkshire. The Environmental Health departments of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Councils have all assessed their air quality and found that the target for nitrogen dioxide will not be met in specific areas by the target date of 2005. Nitrogen dioxide comes mostly from road traffic exhausts and is especially high in areas where there are high levels of vehicle movements e.g. town centres and motorways. A secondary issue lies in sulphur dioxide pollution from domestic appliances in Rotherham in Brampton. Generally speaking, air pollution from industrial sources is no longer the primary source of poor air quality.