School run targeted to reduce emissions

Schools in London are being given information about how to reduce emissions in their area while on the school run.

This is part of Transport for London's (TfL) no-idling campaign.

Schools in particular are being tackled as the school run is seen as one of the biggest polluters in London.

The Department of Transport has funded a Walk to School campaign, which encourages children and parents to ditch the cars, group together, and stroll into school.

In the guidelines the campaign has given to schools, the department explains in a child-friendly way the negative effects that driving everyday can have.

"Driving to school and back releases, on average, enough carbon dioxide to fill over 60 balloons! Not to mention all the other nasty pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and particulates," it says.

The scheme also attempts to highlight the lack of necessity in these trips, as the majority of children live within walking distance of their school.

These journeys are in fact the most harmful.

"Cars produce most pollution when they drive short distances, with a cold engine, in stop start conditions - does that sound like your drive to school in the morning?," the operation asks.

Part of the scheme is to highlight to drivers the importance of turning off their engine when they are stationary.

Switching off the vehicles engine reduces harmful pollutants and also reduces fuel consumption.

"Modelling has shown that if all drivers in central London switched off their engines, rather than leaving them idling unnecessarily, for one minute each day, this could reduce PM10 emissions by around 290g per day or at least 90kg per year," TfL says.

In addition, TfL has been working with schools and the London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) to help educate primary school children on the causes and effects of pollution.

The aim is that children, parents and the government can work together to reduce emissions and pollution which are a key cause of asthma and other heart and lung problems.