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News article8 March 2022Directorate-General for Environment

Commission launches #TheGreenTrack – a nature protection initiative for young people

Today, the European Commission, in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), is launching a new campaign called The Green Track. A flagship initiative of the European Year of Youth 2022, #TheGreenTrack is designed to mobilise young people across Europe ahead of CBD COP 15, the major UN Biodiversity Conference scheduled for this summer, where a new global framework for nature protection will be agreed. The Green Track gives young people a platform for their hopes and concerns about nature, biodiversity and Europe’s sustainable future.

Under the slogan ‘Ready to act #ForNature’, The Green Track is built around more than 30 events organised by young people across the EU, with support from the European Commission. These events cover a variety of formats and environmental themes and topics, and will be implemented by local communities, reflecting the European Year of Youth principles of co-creation, inclusiveness and a bottom-up approach.

Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said:

By harnessing the passion and drive of young Europeans, we can put nature and biodiversity on a sustainable path to recovery. This is the goal at the heart of the Green Track campaign, amplifying the voices of European youth and engaging them in the implementation of the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal is our strategy for people and planet. I encourage all young Europeans to follow the Green Track, and help implement its vision.

Young people will play a key role in mobilising communities to ensure that the future global deal on biodiversity becomes a reality. #TheGreenTrack gives young Europeans an opportunity to contribute to the debate and voice ideas on how best to tackle issues like biodiversity loss and other environmental threats. The campaign also features a website, which acts as an information hub and a platform through which young people can submit their ideas on how to set Europe on #TheGreenTrack to a more sustainable future, and attend the events taking place.

Background

Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are all interconnected and mutually reinforcing, with major negative impacts on health, economy and the natural world. At COP 15, world leaders are expected to agree on a new post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and the EU is ready to lead efforts and work with like-minded partners to achieve an ambitious global agreement to halt biodiversity loss.

#TheGreenTrack initiative establishes a dialogue with European youth in an effort to decide together the next steps needed to put biodiversity on the path to recovery. Through a dedicated web platform, events, on social media and in partnership with youth organisations across the EU, the initiative is engaging and mobilising young people, empowering them to take action to protect the planet for future generations.

2022 is the European Year of Youth, which aims to help young Europeans build a future that is greener, more inclusive, and more digital. The year offers opportunities to learn, share a vision, meet people and engage in activities all over Europe. The European Year of Youth accompanies NextGenerationEU, which reopens perspectives for young people, including quality jobs and education and training opportunities for the Europe of the future, and supports young people's participation in society.

For more information

More information on the campaign, and to get involved, visit #TheGreenTrack website and see the list of events.

Find out more about EU action in the following areas:

European Green Deal

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030

Zero Pollution Action Plan

Waste and Recycling

Circular Economy Action Plan

Global Youth Biodiversity Network

Contact

For any questions, please contact: thegreentrackatgopacom [dot] eu (thegreentrack[at]gopacom[dot]eu)

Details

Publication date
8 March 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Environment

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