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initative News ZERO

ZERO Project: Uniting for a More Sustainable Winter Sports Industry

 

From June 2–4, the ZERO Project team came together in the picturesque city of Antwerp, Belgium, for the 4th ZERO Partners Meeting. Hosted by Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen, this in-person gathering marked a crucial milestone in the Erasmus+ project’s journey toward a more climate-conscious winter sports industry.

 

Three Days of Collaboration and Progress

Federations and partners from across Europe spent three productive days in Antwerp, combining intense working sessions with opportunities to explore the city on bike. The focus was clear: evaluate progress, fine-tune upcoming deliverables, and prepare for the project’s culmination later this year.

 

 

Constructive Dialogue and Clear Action Points

While challenges were acknowledged, the tone was forward-looking. Partners engaged in open, solution-oriented discussions, sharing valuable feedback to refine two of the project’s key tools:

  • The ZERO Card Game, designed to spark climate conversations among youth
  • The online educational climate course, aimed at raising awareness and building sustainability skills

Both tools are in their final stages and will be updated based on the feedback received during the sessions.

 

Interactive Highlights: Testing the Card Game

A standout moment of the meeting was the interactive card game session. Attendees split into groups to test and play the game, offering hands-on input that will directly shape its final version—set for release this autumn.

 

 

Looking Ahead: Final Conference in Bern

The team also laid the groundwork for the Final Conference, which will take place in Bern, Switzerland, on November 25th, 2025. With momentum building and contributions from across Europe, the event promises to be a powerful culmination of the project’s efforts.

 

Thank You to Our Hosts

A heartfelt thank you to Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen for their excellent organization and warm hospitality throughout the event. Their efforts helped create a productive and inspiring environment for all involved.

 

What’s Next?

  • Finalization of the ZERO Card Game
  • Optimization of the online climate course
  • Preparation for the Final Conference in Bern

Stay tuned—and be sure to mark November 25th on your calendar!

 

Photo-Credits: (c) WSF

Categories
initative News ZERO

Empowering the Next Generation of Riders: The ZERO Climate Education Course

 

Curious about what climate change is? Curious about how it is affecting what we love most—Snowboarding and winter sports? Curious about what you can do about it? Then dive in to find out the answers to each of those questions and become a part of the solution.

 

In the face of a changing climate, knowledge is power—and action starts with education. That’s the mission behind the ZERO Climate Education Course, offered through the WSF Academy,  a dynamic and accessible program designed to empower individuals, educators, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to address the climate crisis head-on. Available in seven languages.

 

What is the ZERO Climate Education Course?

The ZERO Climate Education Course is an online learning experience built to equip participants with a foundational understanding of the climate crisis and the skills to address it – an innovative, science-based curriculum aimed at fostering global climate literacy. Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this course provides the foundation to understand the root causes of climate change—and more importantly, what we can do about it.

 

Key Features of the Course

  • Science-Based Curriculum: Learn the fundamentals of climate science, from greenhouse gas emissions and global warming to biodiversity loss and environmental justice.
  • Action-Oriented Learning: Go beyond the classroom with real-world strategies for mitigation, adaptation, and advocacy.
  • Global Perspective: Understand climate issues from both local and global contexts, helping to foster a sense of shared responsibility.
  • Interactive & Inclusive: With videos, quizzes, and reflective activities, the course encourages critical thinking and collaboration across cultures and disciplines.
  • Free and Accessible: True to the ZERO name, this course is free of charge — because climate education should be a right, not a privilege.

 

 

Who is it For?

ZERO is built for everyone. No prior expertise in climate science or environmental studies is required. It’s ideal for:

  • Secondary and post-secondary students
  • Teachers looking to integrate climate education into their classrooms
  • Professionals in any field aiming to become climate-conscious leaders
  • Anyone who wants to be part of the solution

 

What You’ll Learn

The course is structured around engaging, easy-to-follow modules that cover:

  • Climate Science Basics: Understand how climate systems work and the evidence behind human-caused climate change.
  • Global Impacts: Explore how climate change affects ecosystems, economies, and societies across the world.
  • Climate Justice: Delve into the social dimensions of the crisis—why it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and how we can build a fairer future.
  • Solutions and Action: Discover real-world solutions and how individuals, communities, and nations can take meaningful action.

 

Why ZERO Matters

This course isn’t just about facts—it’s about empowerment. ZERO is designed to spark critical thinking, inspire local and global action, and support a generation ready to tackle the biggest challenge of our time. As climate anxiety rises, education offers a hopeful, actionable path forward.

The climate crisis touches every part of our lives—and solving it requires all of us. Whether you’re just starting your climate journey or looking to deepen your understanding, the ZERO Climate Education Course is your gateway to becoming an informed, empowered climate advocate.

 

Enroll now for free: ZERO Climate Education Course

 

Photo-Credits: (c) Andreas Amplatz

Categories
initative News ZERO

ZERO project: Second winter of POW workshops

“Pay even more attention to carpooling or bus transportation to get me to the mountains.”

When we see a statement like this, we feel joy about realizing the ZERO project’s objective. In the project, we have dual aims – one, to engage young people in snowboarding and two, to empower these young people to be climate advocates in their daily life and in their snowboarding life. To achieve the second aim, POW Europe, a project partner, is delivering their second winter of climate workshops.Throughout winter 24/25, from Portugal to Finland, these workshops will positively impact the future generation. How?

  • A presentation will lay the groundwork of what climate change is, how it is affecting the world, and what this means for winter sports. Remember this workshop is for young kids, some might not have heard of climate change before!
  • Interactive activities – we don’t need to go over the research that everyone retains knowledge better when doing something tangible. We run activities that teach children how sustainable action can be part of their everyday life to the wider structural changes that must occur. This latter part might sound grandeur for children but our Climate Card game has proven itself as an effective teacher.
  • Doing the challenges of the Chall app

Establishing a collaboration with CHALL, home of digital social challenges and video competitions for the ZERO Platform, the aim is to establish an online snowboard community by introducing the big international snowboard community to the video-contest series with 6 video-challenges for all kids interested in a sustainable lifestyle and those that are curious to participate in an environment-friendly way of snowboarding. The challenges reach from the community-aspect of snowboarding with the “best handshake” to give your snowboard a new life to travel to the slopes with public transport. Cool prizes are up for wins, among them lift-tickets for key WSPL events such as the World Tour Finals in Kitzsteinhorn and other goodies and discounts.

Link to the app: https://chall.it/WSF

Workshops are taking place throughout the winter in between laps on the slope, of course. Here are photos from our workshop in Belgium and Finland.

Photo-Credits: (c) Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen, Finnish Snowboard Association

Categories
News ZERO

WSF ZERO X CHALL: video series

The WSF Erasmus+ ZERO project, is proud to partner up with CHALL, home of digital challenges and competitions, for the ZERO Challenges & Rides. This is a video-contest series with 6 video-challenges for all kids out there who are interested in a sustainable lifestyle and are curious how to participate in snowboarding in an environmental-friendly way.

All challenges are live on CHALL, an app dedicated to video challenges. Easy to get, easy to follow and easy to participate. The challenges reach from the community-aspect of snowboarding with the “best handshake” to give your snowboard a new life to travel to the slopes with public transport. And snowboarding is of course involved as well. Kids can win cool prizes, among them lift-tickets for key WSPL events like the World Tour Finals in Kitzsteinhorn and goodies.

All kids need to do is to film end edit a short video for each challenge, create their own CHALL account, follow the WSF account and upload the videos for the respective challenges.

It’s fun, we promise.

 

The challenges are live until March 10, 2025. Join the fun now!

 

WSFS ZERO Challenges on CHALL:

Zero #1 vol 2: https://app.chall.it/challenge/520

Zero #2: https://app.chall.it/challenge/462

Zero #3: https://app.chall.it/challenge/499

Zero #4: https://app.chall.it/challenge/525

Zero #5: https://app.chall.it/challenge/486

Zero #6: https://app.chall.it/challenge/489

 

Categories
News ZERO

Hit the Slopes from Your Couch: ZERO Project Launches Eco-Friendly ZERO Card Game

 

Get ready to grab your deck and carve fresh lines—without ever leaving your living room! The ZERO Card Game, part of the innovative ZERO project, an ERASMUS+ project co-funded by the European Commission led by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF), is setting the stage for a revolution in how we experience the thrill of snowboarding. Designed by POW Europe for snowboarders, and non-riders alike, this game brings the adrenaline of the slopes straight to your coffee table while promoting eco-friendly practices and snowboarding culture.

 

A Game with a Purpose

The ZERO Snowboard Card Game isn’t just fun; it’s also an educational tool aimed at raising awareness about climate change. Integrated into the gameplay are real-world scenarios that showcase the environmental challenges facing winter sports today. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to inspire eco-consciousness among players of all ages.

 

 

Digital and Physical: Ride Anytime, Anywhere

The game will be available as a free downloadable print-and-play version making it accessible to everyone, everywhere.

 

Bringing the Community Together

By combining snowboarding culture with innovative gameplay, the ZERO Card Game fosters a sense of community among snowboarders and enthusiasts around the world. It’s perfect for game nights, après-ski gatherings, or just killing time between runs.

 

 

Ready to Ride?

The ZERO Snowboard Card Game promises endless fun and a deeper appreciation for the sport and our planet. Get your deck, and prepare to shuffle, strategize, and shred—no snow required!

 

Photo-Credit: (c) Robbe De Temmerman

Categories
News ZERO

ZERO project: New report published

 

In the context of the ZERO Project, an ERASMUS+ project co-funded by the European Commission, the WSF and its partners have published a report about the understanding of young riders about the impact of their snowboard practices on climate change.

This study examines the environmental awareness of young snowboarders and its influence on their behavior and perceptions regarding climate change. Utilizing a questionnaire based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model, the research assesses key dimensions of environmental impact, including ‘Pressure’ (human activities affecting the environment), ‘State’ (perceived environmental conditions), and ‘Response’ (proactive environmental behaviors).

The findings reveal a significant gap between awareness and action, with 73.8% of respondents identifying as environmentally conscious, but only 20% demonstrating consistent proactive behaviors. While snowboarders exhibit high sensitivity to ecological challenges and moderate concern about environmental conditions, their actions often lack behind due to barriers such as insufficient knowledge or convenience factors.

The study underscores the role of education in addressing this action gap, suggesting innovative strategies like interactive learning tools and targeted campaigns to promote sustainable practices in snowboarding. Recommendations for snowboard associations include implementing educational initiatives, incentivizing eco-friendly choices, and collaborating with resorts to adopt sustainable infrastructure.

By bridging the gap between attitudes and actions, the snowboarding community can contribute to preserving natural landscapes vital to winter sports. This research highlights the importance of aligning environmental awareness with actionable behaviors to ensure the future sustainability of snowboarding.

Read the full report here.

Words: Ivana Pranjić

Photo-Credits: (c) Zillertal Välley Ralley, by Gustav Hersmann; (c) World Rookie Tour

 

Categories
Grassroots Projects News ZERO

WSF ZERO PARTNERS GATHER IN INNSBRUCK FOR THE THIRD IN-PERSON MEETING

From May 27 – 29, 2024 POW Europe hosted the third in-person meeting for all 11 ZERO project partners in Innsbruck to discuss the status quo and to kick off the 2nd year of the Erasmus+ project.

ZERO stands for “Zero Emission Rides Objectives” and is aiming to develop innovative practices of grassroot snowboarding to increase accessibility and participation of young people in sport activities while empowering them in the fight against climate change towards “zero emission rides”.

The time was well spent with updates on the past year including the “Report on Sustainability” or the “Collection of Best Practices”.  The German Sport University Cologne delivered their analysis of the sustainability survey which was answered by kids all over Europe to find out how much awareness they have for all topics related to the environment and what actions they take in their day-to-day life. POW Europe presented an overview of the workshop for kids held across Europe in collaboration with the respective project partners. The learnings from year 1 will now be integrated to make the workshop experience in year 2 even better for all participants.

One day was spent hiking above Innsbruck for a creative brainstorming session for the upcoming deliverables including a downloadable board game which is planned for the upcoming winter season.

Follow the WSF channels for regular updates on the status quo and find out more about ZERO here.

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News ZERO

ZERO WORKSHOP: INSIGHTS FROM PARTICIPANTS

“I thought I was already quite concerned with the climate, but this workshop has made me realize even more that it is really high time to take action. Even small things can result in big things. I have decided to convince people more to participate in this, that will be my mission :-)”

This is a quote from a young female Belgian snowboarder after participating in the Erasmus+ ZERO Rides Climate Education workshop. Wow. It emulates the exact impact that we wanted to see from these workshops. We hoped that the future generations left feeling empowered to take action and to use snowboarding as a way to do so.

Let’s backtrack first and explain what workshops we are talking about. As part of the Erasmus+ ZERO Rides Project, over two winter seasons, the national federations and Protect Our Winters Europe are working together to put on climate education workshops. Since October, five workshops have been held across five different countries, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Hungary and Switzerland, for children from 12 to 19 years old. Throughout the workshops, young snowboarders (and some skiers too because why keep things so separated?) understand what is happening with the climate crisis and what is the science behind it. Then, crucially, we present what can be done to address it. We frame it as what can be done as a young snowboarder – what power do you and your snowboard have?

When we asked the kids, what they would share with the families when they went home, here is what they said (translated from native language to English):

“Climate change is dangerous and must be stopped not only for snowboarding but for the earth”

“Workshop was engaging”

“That it is high time to pay more attention to the environment and sustainability.”

“Cool presentation”

It can be a bit daunting to discover the impacts of human-induced climate change; it can be a bit daunting to have to teach it. That’s why we have activities. After the presentation (and a break), there are various activities to engage the kids. From a pedagogical perspective, we learn well when we are active both mentally and physically. The kids get up and run doing wheelbarrow races, seasonal food calendars, making decisions related to consumption and overall, letting them explore the climate topic.

From our post-workshop survey, the majority of the participants found the activities to be most enjoyable

Our favorite part was that everyone, from the Protect Our Winters facilitators to the federation people to the kids, can bring their own story and share something to one another, too. Education is a two-way street, here’s what the workshop facilitators and federations have to say about the workshops so far:

“They seemed to enjoy the activities, and overall getting their hands “dirty” with the assignments. They already seemed to be very informed about climate change, and the discussions we had using the questions in the presentation were also interesting.” – POW facilitator for the workshop in Finland

“The stations were really cool and helped a lot to understand the complex topic” – The coaches from the German Federation who watched the workshop

This is not to say that these workshops are perfect. Much has been uncovered about what is relevant for kids, what information works in which countries, and how snowboarders engage with the climate crisis. And we believe we can dig deeper. We, Protect Our Winters, are going to build this feedback into the creation of an e-learning platform and a board game. So stay tuned for the release of that. Also, next winter, we will be hosting these workshops again! We are excited.

To round off, and motivate us all, here are some quotes from these young snowboarders on taking climate action:

“The importance of a small action”

“Climate change needs to be taken seriously”

“Not to waste with the equipment (by buying new stuff too often)”

Words: Gillian Rosh, POW

Photo-Credits: (c) Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen, POW

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News ZERO

ZERO PROJECT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT FOR SURVEY

You want to make an impact on your community and snowboarding? Then this one is for you.

 

In order for the WSF and its project partners to better design our “ZERO project” for you, we would like to know more about you as a snowboarder and your relationship to the environment. Please give us 10 minutes of your time to fill in the questionnaire.

 

Survey in German.

Survey in English.

 

Thank you very much!

Photo-Credit: (c) Banked Bakony, Hungary

Categories
News ZERO

ZERO UPDATE: COLLECTON OF BEST PRACTICES TO RAISE AWARENESS

Collection of existing educational and raising awareness content for the youth on sustainability and climate change, within snowboard associations.

Every person has an individual responsibility towards the environment – in life, and in sport. Sport organisations also have a responsibility in terms of recycling waste, using materials that can be recycled, food that should not be easily thrown away, and above all, providing educational and awareness raising material for its members. The WSF recognized its responsibility and is taking action.

Together with its members, the World Snowboard Federation is seeking to embark on the journey of sustainability and use the power of sport to educate, empower and foster inclusion. In the context of the ERASMUS+ ZERO (Zero Emission Rides Objective) project, lead by the WSF, the project partners put together a collection of existing education and awareness raising content within the partners consortium.

The foreseen Collection of best practice examples is expected to contribute to a more sustainable “World of snowboarding”. It will serve as a tool to raise awareness about the urgency of taking action and the impact of individual and organisational behaviour in our race to a more sustainable future (of sport).

Sustainability is a team effort.

The Collection of best practice examples emphasizes the need for joint promotional activities, especially through social networks, for sport in general, and snowboarding (& winter sport) in specific to impose itself as a leader when it comes to environmental sustainability efforts.

The included examples are good practice examples from the project partners coming from ten different countries. The good practices are distributed in five categories: digitalisation, mountain, equipment & facilities, transportation & education.

This Collection of Best Practices is for anyone who wants to make a positive impact working towards a sustainable (sport) world. Existing good practice examples from different countries should inspire you to replicate different activities in your surroundings.

Read the full document HERE.

More information about ZERO.

 

Author: Ivana Pranjić

Photo-Credit: Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen

 

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