Global parent-led campaign network receives ELF award for protecting children’s respiratory health

Our Kids’ Climate has been awarded the 2025 European Lung Foundation (ELF) Award for its outstanding contribution to safeguarding children’s respiratory health worldwide.

The award, which recognises individuals, groups or organisations making an outstanding contribution in the field of lung health, will be presented at this year’s European Respiratory Society’s (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam from 27 September to 1 October 2025.

Our Kids’ Climate is a global network of parent-led climate organisations dedicated to protecting children’s lungs from the impacts of climate change and air pollution. Its flagship campaign, Our Kids’ Air, highlights that 90% of children breathe polluted air, leading to nearly 2,000 deaths daily among children under five.

Founded in 2019, the network now connects grassroots groups and national campaigns in over 50 countries. By amplifying the voices of parents and caregivers worldwide, the organisation raises awareness of air pollution and climate change while advocating for policies to improve air quality and protect children’s respiratory health.

In 2024, the organisation launched the Clean Air Circle, supporting community leaders in Ecuador, Ghana, India, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the USA to develop locally driven campaigns addressing air pollution and its health impacts. It mobilised parent-led groups across 44 countries to speak up about the links between children’s health, air pollution, and fossil fuels during the COP26 climate talks, and is taking a passionate delegation of Brazilian mothers to COP30 to speak up for children.

Receiving the award, co-director Maya Mailer said:

“Children’s health is directly threatened by air pollution and the climate crisis. The burning of fossil fuels is poisoning the air our children breathe and endangering their future by overheating our planet. Our Kids’ Climate unites parents and communities around the world to demand clean air and a fair and fast shift to clean energy. We are honoured to receive this award, which recognises the collective power of our global community, of intergenerational solidarity and love-led campaigning to protect the next generation’s right to breathe clean air and grow up in a healthy environment.”

ELF Chair, Dimitris Kontopidis, said:

“Our Kids’ Climate demonstrate the important link between grassroots activism and global health policy. Through their tireless advocacy, they have raised awareness of how climate change and air pollution affect children’s lung health and inspired communities worldwide to take action. We are proud to present them with the ELF Award for 2025.”