June 24, 2025 What happens when climbers, cyclists, and voters unite?

POW Europe’s latest impact report isn’t just a review – it’s a reminder that climate action can start on a bike, a trail, or a glacier-fed river. What followed was a series of firsts that brought the outdoor community deeper into environmental policy – and into the spotlight.

Protect Our Winters (POW) Europe has released its 2024 Impact Report, offering a snapshot of a landmark year for the organization and the outdoor community it mobilizes across the continent.

From the trails to the ballot box, 2024 marked POW Europe’s most ambitious campaign to date. With the European elections at the heart of its strategy, POW in Europe rallied the outdoor community under a bold, shared mission: to vote for climate. A manifesto in support of the EU Green Deal gathered around 200 signatories, including many of the most renowned outdoor brands and like-minded organizations, and was handed over in person to parliamentarians from across the political spectrum in Strasbourg. But that was just the beginning. As the elections approached, chapters from the Arctic to the Mediterranean mobilized to ensure the voice of the outdoor community was heard at the polls.

Highlights from the year: grassroots to global action

2024 was shaped by POW’s Ride Bike Climb Vote! campaign, which not only encouraged voter turnout during the European elections but also united more than 200 organizations and brands under a shared climate message. Brand partners and athletes helped amplify this effort across platforms and in real life.

The annual Mobility Month returned in September with a continent-wide focus on bicycles as both a practical and symbolic solution to climate challenges. Participants tracked over 30,000 kilometers and spotlighted the everyday potential of low-carbon commuting.

Another major milestone was the launch of Downstream, POW’s first documentary, developed with Icebreaker and the VF Foundation. This science-backed film follows three glacier-fed rivers across three continents, illustrating how glacier retreat threatens water, food, and energy systems. Premiering at COP29 in Baku, it continued its tour at key venues like ISPO, The Economist Sustainability Week, and UNESCO.

Additional initiatives included youth-focused climate education through card games and workshops, athlete training on climate advocacy, and growing influence at EU policy levels. POW also strengthened its collaboration with the outdoor industry at events such as the Ski Climate Summit and European Outdoor Summit.

Access the 2024 Protect Our Winters Impact Report.

Lead Photo: Protect Our Winters