Clean Air Counts Challenge Delivers Record-Breaking Impacts
Thousands of metro Atlantans turned everyday commutes into regional progress with cleaner trips that measurably improved traffic congestion, air quality — and more!
Georgia Commute Options (GCO) is thrilled to announce that the 2026 Clean Air Counts challenge generated record-breaking participation and environmental impact across metro Atlanta, reinforcing the growing regional momentum around sustainable commuting.
Launched in April ahead of Georgia’s smog season, the month-long Clean Air Counts event encouraged metro Atlantans to choose cleaner commute options — including transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, and teleworking — and track their impact through the MyGCO platform.
This year’s challenge produced exceptional results:
- 769 new MyGCO users joined during the campaign
- 2,538 participants logged clean commute trips
- 65,318 clean trips were recorded
- 848,387 pounds of CO2 emissions were prevented
- Participants logged more than 1.1 million miles of clean trips
- Commuters collectively saved $674,184
Together, participants reduced over 1 million miles of solo driving to help improve regional air quality at a critical time of year, just before the start of ozone season when air pollution levels traditionally rise across metro Atlanta.
“Clean Air Counts showed just how powerful small daily choices can be. It starts with just one commute. And when thousands of people make these choices together, the impact becomes visible in the data,” said Shaumond Scott, GCO program coordinator. “These results reflect that even more commuters are embracing sustainable travel options that reduce congestion, improve air quality, and save money.”
The campaign built on the momentum of Earth Month by helping commuters better understand the connection between transportation choices and regional air quality. Vehicle emissions remain one of the leading contributors to smog pollution and poor air quality days in metro Atlanta. By choosing alternatives to driving alone, participants helped reduce harmful emissions while easing pressure on roadways.
Because clean commutes have a profound impact on the region’s health, GCO made a point to recognize and encourage commuters with rewards that matched their efforts. Participants earned points and prize entries by logging sustainable trips. Incentives included opportunities to win Atlanta experiences, sporting event tickets, music festival passes, and a luxury staycation grand prize.
Clean Air Counts is presented by Georgia Commute Options. Partner organizations include local transportation management associations ASAP, Clifton Corridor TMA, Livable Buckhead, Midtown Alliance, Perimeter Connects, and Shift.
For media questions/bookings, contact Shaumond Scott, sscott@atlantaregional.org, 470.378.1465; or Nicole Lenti, nicole.lenti@odonnellco.com, 470.552.1418.
Georgia Commute Options, a program managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission and funded through the Georgia Department of Transportation, works with employers, commuters and schools to encourage drivers who ride alone to make the switch to a commute alternative such as riding transit, teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling, walking and/or biking, with the ultimate goal of reducing congestion and the emissions that contribute to smog pollution. For more information, visit www.GaCommuteOptions.com and follow Georgia Commute Options on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Get access to cash incentives by logging your clean commute on our website or through the MyGCO platform, which is available for download via the App Store or Google Play, or go to MyGCO.com.