CAN was established in July 2009,[1] following a Civic Exchange conference focused on the state of Hong Kong's air pollution in January of the same year.
[2] In 2017, CAN focused primarily on tackling local roadside air pollution, along with emissions from marine vessels, power plants and regional sources.
[5] CAN also helped to bring students from Chinese International School,[6] who implored lawmakers to protect their health instead of subordinating society's interests to narrow constituencies’ demands.
In January 2011, CAN, Friends of the Earth and other green groups filed an ombudsman complaint collectively in order to protest the government's failure to fulfill their promise to review and revise the Air Quality Objectives.
[15][16] Additionally, CAN holds an annual event called the Airmazing Race, a scavenger hunt intended to raise awareness towards air pollution through the completion of various tasks.
[17] On 25 March 2019, CAN held a press conference in the Legislative Council building with other environmental group members of the Air Quality Concern Group and Legislative Council members , included Eddie Chu, Dennis Kwok, Jeffrey Tam, Kenneth Leung, Kwok Ka-ki, Tanya Chan and Ted Hui.
The said groups released the findings in a press conference on 1 August 2019 and criticised the Environmental Protection Department for going against public opinion when revising the air quality objectives.
Those attending the press conference included Friends of the Earth (HK), Greenpeace, Legislative Councillor Kwok Ka-ki, and writer in environmental issue James Edward Ockenden.
[23] On 30 July 2020, Ming Pao Weekly published an article titled "Field Study: How Many Tear Gas Canisters We Can Bear in a Street".
[24] In January 2020, CAN held press conference to announce 2019 Annual Air Quality Review with key findings included level of ozone in Hong Kong reached 20 years record high.
Eight district councils (Central and Western, Eastern, Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, and Tuen Mun) has passed a resolution in support for a citizen clean air plan.