Never one to miss out on an opportunity to spread the word about the importance air quality has on climate change, the Smogmobile has been lucky to visit two of our local Planet Mark Zero Carbon Tour events last month.

These events which were running the breadth of the UK aimed to support businesses in reaching net zero carbon emissions no matter where they are at on their journey, in the run up to COP26 in Glasgow in early November.

At these events, workshops were run to help businesses feel confident in their first steps towards a net zero commitment by identifying the businesses main emission sources and ways to cut them.

The first event we attended was at UWE Frenchay Campus in Bristol at their impressive modern facility.

ET were happy to get involved when contacted by James Longhurst, Professor of Environmental Science and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Environment and Sustainability at UWE. The Smogmobile monitored air quality next to the zero carbon bus throughout the event and attracted some interest.

We then joined the Planet Mark team at another of their tour stops at the University of Gloucester in Cheltenham where ET MD, Duncan Mounsor added his own message to the leaders of COP26 when asked “What is your message to the leaders at COP26 for a brighter future?” 

His response – 

“Poor air quality kills >40,000 people in the UK every year and millions worldwide. Most air pollution is caused by combustion of fossil fuel. Reduce combustion emissions = Reduce poor air quality”

We also attended COP26 Gloucestershire - a fringe event at the Active Building Centre in Berkeley where they discussed issues ranging from leadership on the green agenda, the role of the public sector in reaching net zero, to the need for green skills, and how the UK’s construction industry needs to adapt or wither.