#TheGreenTrack campaign, launched by the European Commission in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) and Biodiversity Action Europe (BAE), mobilised thousands of young Europeans ahead of the COP 15 UN Biodiversity Conference in December 2022.
As a major EU contribution to the European Year of Youth, #TheGreenTrack listened to concerns and recommendations from European young people on key topics, such as biodiversity and nature, circular economy, climate change, zero pollution, and lifestyle.
About the Campaign
Under the slogan ‘Ready to act #ForNature’, the Green Track campaign made 32 stops in 21 countries across Europe. Events took many different shapes, from public debates to outdoor activities, exhibitions and swap parties. Over 1,500 participants took part in these events, and over 21 million people were reached by the online campaign. Wherever it stopped, #TheGreenTrack helped amplify young people’s messages to a wider audience, and bring their needs and recommendations to the attention of policy-makers.
At #TheGreenTrack closing event, held in Brussels on 30 May as part of EU Green Week, the participants voiced their recommendations for progress towards a more sustainable future. These included continuing #TheGreenTrack initiative, but disseminating it more towards the general public; fostering dialogue between youth and policy-makers and between society, governments, enterprises and scientists; creating better structured communication pathways from youth to decision-makers; and involving activists and NGOs in environmental decision-making.