Austria

Once again in 2024, Austria’s young climate protectors were hard at work, gathering their Klimameilen – Austria’s Green Footprints.

 

This year, 29,831 children from 247 educational institutions across Austria collected a total of 484,510 Green Footprints.

 

The poster showcasing Austria's results this year is decorated with colorful Footprints created by the students of VS St. Florian in Upper Austria. The school’s 281 children collected 6,904 Green Footprints over two weeks, earning them “the 2024 summer victory” (more details on their activities follow later in the text).

 

The PVS Maria Regina Clara Fey Campus from Vienna, which came up as the Austrian winner last year, earned a visit from climate clown Hugo in February 2024 as a special thank you for their great commitment.

 

But even without his visit, the children were once again incredibly determined and, thanks to the campaign, did not let the bad weather stop them from collecting Footprints.

 

The Bodensdorf elementary school reported: “Many of the pupils now walk to school and home despite the distance.”

The Lofer elementary school in Salzburg kicked off this year’s campaign with a joint walk. This means that students, along with the teachers, parents, local politicians, and some police officers, started their routes to school together. Afterwards, they discussed, talked and reported together every day ... and, of course, they eagerly stamped the shared poster – including stamps for various leisure activities as well.  

The elementary school in Biberbach reported: “The Green Footprint campaign is fantastic because both the climate and health benefits.” VS Biberbach chose a two-week action period, which, not coincidentally, started on September 16 during European Mobility Week. Together, the children collected a total of 2,268 Footprints by the end of September. In collaboration with the local municipality, a parent drop-off point was also established, so the campaign can continue to have an impact.

 

The children’s motivation everywhere was incredibly high. Their enthusiasm quickly spread to their parents, who supported them wholeheartedly in collecting Footprints, even enabling them to gather Footprints during leisure time. At the Frauental an der Laßnitz kindergarten, parents even shared snapshots of their car-free days.

 

The kindergarten team there was also inspired and decided to organize a Pedibus (walking together in a formation), for the entire kindergarten year starting in September 2024. An outstanding and praiseworthy commitment. Thank you for that!

 

 

St. Florian Elementary School is the Austrian Green Footprints Summer Champion

 

The Austrian elementary school St. Florian did it! They were awarded the title of Green Footprints Summer Champion 2024. In just two weeks, the children collected 6,904 Green Footprints by taking eco-friendly routes to school: on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation. Each of these alternative means of transportation helped reduce CO₂ emissions and raised awareness of the importance of climate-friendly mobility.

 

"The children are sending a clear message that they are ready for change. Year after year, through their numerous participations and tireless commitment, they demonstrate how it’s done!”, said Elke Kastner, Managing Director of Climate Alliance Austria.

Award from Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler

 

In recognition of their commitment, the students of St. Florian Elementary School, along with their principal and teachers, were personally presented with a trophy and a certificate by Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and Climate Alliance Austria Managing Director Elke Kastner. In addition, they received an invitation to visit Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. The award-winning students of St. Florian Elementary School also prepared something special and performed an amazing song.

 

 

“Active Mobility” at St. Florian Elementary School

 

St. Florian Elementary School is a member of the Climate Alliance network and is highly engaged in mobility initiatives. For instance, in collaboration with the local municipality, parent drop-off zones have been established, the school has participated in the klimaaktiv mobil Mobility Check, and cycling has been promoted through road safety training. All 13 classes at the school took part in the Green Footprints campaign. As part of this, a ‘Wishprints Wall’ was created, where each student painted an individual Wishprint and symbolically placed it to show the route they took to school during the collection period."

"One of St. Florian Elementary School’s development goals is to make St. Florian Elementary School, as Climate Alliance school, visible, and we strive to instill in our students an awareness of environmentally and climate-friendly practices for our planet. Participation in the Green Footprints campaign is a natural part of this effort and a welcome addition to our initiatives. We are very pleased that many children managed to come to school in a climate-friendly way over the past school year, and of course, we are proud of this victory”, said Eva Pühringer-Strutzenberger, principal of St. Florian Elementary School.