The IES relaunches Noise Action Week to raise awareness of the ‘Forgotten Pollutant’
Noise pollution is recognised as the second largest environmental threat to human health - yet it remains widely overlooked.1 Excessive noise is linked to serious health impacts including hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbance, heart disease, strokes and dementia, affecting millions of people nationwide.2
The Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) has announced the relaunch of Noise Action Week, a nationwide campaign returning on 11th-15th May 2026, to spread the message that noise matters for our health and wellbeing.
In the lead-up to the campaign and throughout the week, Noise Action Week will:
Highlight the impact of noise on health and wellbeing
Promote simple, practical behaviour changes that help reduce unwanted noise
Showcase innovative and effective action being taken by local authorities and businesses across the UK
Many of the examples will focus on noise from dogs, pubs and clubs. These are much loved parts of UK life, but they can also create real challenges for neighbours and workplaces. With thoughtful management, it is possible to protect wellbeing and enjoyment for all.
Get involved
Everyone is encouraged to take part in Noise Action Week, including local authorities, businesses, non-profits, community groups and individuals. EPIC will provide a suite of free, ready-to-use resources, including a communications toolkit featuring social media and newsletter content. EPIC will also publish lesson packs designed to help schools engage young people in understanding noise and how it impacts people differently (aural diversity).
A programme of online events will run throughout Noise Action Week, with expert speakers sharing evidence and good practice. The launch event will feature a talk on the health impacts of noise from internationally recognised expert Professor Charlotte Clark.
For more information about Noise Action Week and to access campaign resources, visit the Noise Action Week webpage.
Noise Action Week is supported by leading professional and advocacy organisations, including: the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC), Institute of Acoustics (IoA), RHE Global, Royal Environment Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), Noise Abatement Society, and the UK Noise Association.
Quotes
Don Taylor, Chair of Noise Action Week and Fife Council's Lead Officer for Environmental Health, says:
“Noise pollution is often described as the ‘forgotten pollutant’, yet as an Environmental Health Officer I see first-hand the real impact excessive noise has on people and communities. Most of us will be affected by noise pollution at some point in our lives, and it can have serious consequences for our health and wellbeing.
I strongly encourage local authorities, businesses and communities to support this campaign. Addressing noise pollution must not be an afterthought for local government, and Noise Action Week provides practical, ready-to-use resources to help organisations engage with and support their communities.'
Ellie Savage, Policy Lead at the Institution of Environmental Sciences and Campaign Coordinator, says:
“Unwanted noise is more than an inconvenience - it is a serious public health issue. Noise Action Week puts this important message centre stage. It encourages people to understand how unwanted noise affects health and promotes practical steps to reduce it. Ultimately, it’s about achieving a healthy balance between vibrant communities and places where people can live, work and sleep in comfort.”
World Health Organisation (2011) Burden of disease from environmental noise
British Medical Journal (2025) The impact of noise pollution on health
~ ENDS ~
Media contact
For further information please contact:
- Ellie Savage ellie@the-ies.org (IES Policy Lead and Campaign Coordinator)
- IES Office: +44 (0)20 3862 7484
Background
The Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) is a community of the IES. EPIC brings together members from across the environmental sciences to share their experiences and call for ambitious and deliverable policy, as well as providing members with the knowledge, insights and tools to help them deliver on the ground.
The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is a charitable organisation and a global professional membership body for environmental scientists, with over 6,700 members. We work to unite people and specialists from diverse disciplines around the shared goal of accelerating the transition to a sustainable society. We support a diverse and interdisciplinary network of environmental scientists all over the world – and at every stage of their education and careers – to connect, develop, progress and inspire.
Noise Action Week was run by Environmental Protection UK from 1996 to 2021. In 2024, Environmental Protection UK merged into the Institution of Environmental Sciences to become EPIC.
Header image credit (c) iFriday via AdobeStock
