School children from across Sheffield star in a new film promoting the importance of clean, breathable air ahead of Clean Air Day 2026.
Sheffield School Children Go Green with Clean Air Film
Supported by the Modeshift STARS School Engagement Team, the film showcases how young people are helping to create healthier, cleaner communities while encouraging more sustainable travel choices.
The project was funded through Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone and produced in partnership with David Elliot Cooper of Histrionics, a Modeshift Corporate Premium Member. In the film, David brings to life Sheffield’s first Smoke Abatement Officer, Joe Batey – better known as ‘Smokey Joe’ – who helped tackle air pollution across the city during the 1970s.
The film will officially launch on 18 June 2026 to mark Clean Air Day.
‘We Care for Our Air, Our Streets, Our Future’
The film captures some of the work done by the School Engagement Team to encourage pupils and parents to think more about the impact their travel choices can have on the air quality close to their schools and homes, giving the children a chance to voice what they have learned in the sessions delivered across the area and to express why clean air matters to them.
The film ‘We Care for Our Air, Our Streets, Our Future’ has also been supported by Sheffield Children’s Hospital Respiratory Team.
Dr Sam Flowers, Respiratory Doctor, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said:
‘I would encourage residents of Sheffield to pledge to use active travel. Together, we can reduce air pollution and help to create a healthier future for children and young people.’
Councillor Ben Miskell Chair of Transport Regeneration & Climate at the time the video was produced said:
‘It’s an important project. Through the wonderful work of young people in our schools, we are able to improve our air quality, and I’m really proud of that.’
The video will officially launch via the Sheffield School AT team socials:
Instagram: sheffactivetravelschs
The schools involved in the filming were: Pipworth Primary School, Portercroft CoE Primary school, Ecclesfield Primary school, Ballifield Primary School, Carfield Primary School, Nether Green Juniors, Stocksbridge Nursery & Infant school and Waterthorpe Infant School.
Locations included in the film: Pound’s Park playground, The Cholera Monument, Weston Park, inside Sheffield Town Hall, Argyle Rd, Handsworth Grange Road.
Further reading:
- In the past 3 years, air quality across Sheffield has improved with levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) continuing to drop, fewer polluting vehicles driving in the city.
- Using funds from the CAZ, £1m is supporting 8 key initiatives across the city, with over £900,000 of the £1m fund spent on projects which target air quality improvements for children.
- Average NO2 emissions were reduced by 23% between 2022 and 2024
- Average NO2 reduction of 26% across the Clean Air Zone area.
- Infographic on CAZ – 97 CAZ investment infographic A3 portrait-V6
- In Sheffield, around 50% of all nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution is caused by road traffic.
