Italy's Importance and the CAIC in Modena
In the week of October 23, 2023, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Europe-wide Green Footprints campaign during our international Climate Alliance Annual Conference (CAIC) in Modena, Italy. This was particularly significant because the first handover of the miles collected across Europe took place in Italy in 2003, specifically in Milan, during the UN Climate Conference/COP9.
To express our gratitude to the children, we rolled out a "red carpet" made of footprints just for them. We also encouraged CAIC participants to show their appreciation for the dedicated efforts of these little climate protectors. The result is a word cloud reflecting heartfelt thanks and encouragement to keep going.
Alto Adige /South Tyrol
In South Tyrol once again schools were collecting Klimaschritte /Geen Footprints as part of the European Mobility Week in order to mobilize even more children and their parents to come to school without a car in the long term.
In the small town of Auer for example, the 4th-grade class of the Italian Elementary School, consisting of 12 students, has made a significant environmental impact. Over the course of 4 weeks, they collectively accumulated 9,100 Klimaschritte/Green Footprints. Their efforts included walking, cycling, and taking the bus to and from school. Four students walked for 20 days, covering the journey twice daily. Seven students chose to cycle, making the same trips. Additionally, one student opted for the bus, commuting both ways for 20 days. Furthermore, a teacher committed to cycling for the entire duration, while another teacher alternated between walking and driving a short distance (5km) for 20 days.
In the Klimaschritte project of the 3rd grade in GS Jenesien, conducted during the last week of September to the first week of October, 18 students collectively earned 464 Green Footprints, including both children and parents.
The poster with their wishprints to the politicians at the UN Climatesummit is publicly visible in the school building. In addition, there is an article on the school website and in the local village newspaper.
Formigine
The Bimbibus in Formigine operated also in the school year 2022/2023 with 4 active lines from Monday to Friday.
So in 2023 the children collect Miglia Verde for a total of 180 days:
- From the beginning of January to June (excluding Easter week): 99 days
- from September to December: 81 days
The 63 students who walk to the Carducci, Ferrari and Palmieri schools with the green bimbus and to the Palmieri school with the red bimbus, accompanied by 33 volunteers, thus collect a total of 17,010 green footprints with their car-free way to school - thank you for this sustainable commitment!