Empowering students as change agents to reduce vehicle idling and promote pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours: the idle off pilot study

Abstract

Vehicle idling near schools produces harmful air pollutants that impact child health and development. School-based environmental education programs provide an opportunity for children to act as change agents for reducing idling around school, empowering them to modify their parents’ pro-environmental behaviours. In 2023, the Idle Off pilot assessed the impact, acceptability and feasibility of an education program in two schools in Melbourne, Australia. The program was designed to empower students as change agents to influence and decrease their parents’ idling behaviours. Forty grade 5-6 students took part in three education sessions focusing on air pollution, advocacy and evaluation of students’ effort. Idling observations, surveys, focus groups with students and interviews with parents were conducted. Students, parents and teachers rated the program highly as acceptable and feasible. We found improvements in student confidence, environmental awareness, and reductions in idling behaviour, supported by both observational, qualitative, and quantitative data. Children described taking active roles in sharing knowledge at home, influencing household routines, and promoting change in their communities. The program offers a low-cost and scalable solution to reduce idling behaviours in parents and promote environmental attitudes and behaviours in both parents and their school-aged children.