A federal public awareness campaign is recommended to change vehicle idling behaviours.
It has been shown that traffic-related emissions significantly increase childhood asthma rates in Australia, especially near schools and childcare centres. They also contribute to greenhouse gases and climate change, with the transport sector expected to become the largest source of emissions by 2030. Benefits of reducing vehicle idling include:
- Immediate and long-term public health improvements
- Lower transport-related carbon emissions
- Cost savings for consumers
- Increased political support for policy reforms
Melbourne Climate Futures drives the University of Melbourne’s leadership role to create transformative solutions to the climate crisis for a future worth living.