6 MAY 2026
Last year was a defining year for glaciers and for collective action. Designated by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, 2025 was a moment of global acknowledgement. Yet glaciers have no vote and no voice in decision-making rooms.
So, POW in Europe made sure recognition turned into action. All of which is showcased in our 2025 Impact report.
Throughout the year, POW in Europe brought glacier stories into policy, culture and public debate. At COP29 in Baku, we premiered our first documentary, DOWNSTREAM, highlighting the impact of glacier loss on downstream communities. The film travelled to UNESCO in Paris, the UN Headquarters in New York, the EU Parliament in Brussels, ChangeNOW in Paris, and more than 50 events worldwide where we engaged policymakers, scientists, brands and athletes.
We closed the year with The Voice of the Glaciers, a vinyl record pressed from ice on the Mer de Glace. It marked irreversible loss and launched 1% for the Glaciers, a fundraising initiative of long-term collective action.
During 2025, POW Europe continued to advocate for a European Union that prioritises our climate, environment and economic well-being. We hosted our first POW Brand Advocacy Day in Amsterdam, bringing together more than 60 purpose-led companies to strengthen climate advocacy. We also expanded athlete advocacy and championed low-carbon travel through our third Mobility Month.
Across Europe, our ten national chapters mobilised communities, advanced ambitious 2040 EU climate targets:
+ POW Austria campaigned to increase voter turnout for the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, which has a disproportionate influence on Austria’s climate policy.
+ POW Finland worked to influence the winter sports community to choose trains over planes by partnering with Finland’s national train operator, VR, and through several campaigns.
+ POW France was already at work advocating for a more sustainable and community-led 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games.
+ POW Germany campaigned to mobilise the outdoor community to vote for climate protection, mountains winters and the outdoor places that bring people together.
+ POW Netherlands (now BENELUX) premiered its documentary Prominent Peaks, bringing together sport, science and storytelling to raise awareness of climate change in alpine environments.
+ POW Norway focused on building community through several events, reinforcing its role in mobilising the winter sports community for climate action.
+ POW Sweden, together with POW Finland and Norway, launched a campaign calling on winter sports to end fossil fuel sponsorship.
+ POW Switzerland dedicated 2025 to a major campaign focused on protecting Swiss glaciers, which culminated in a petition to the Swiss Federal Council that called for emissions to be compensated through nationally implemented solutions.
+ POW UK launched its Clean Miles campaign that focused on shifting travel behaviour within the outdoor community.
The climate crisis is accelerating. So is our movement.
Thank you for standing with us and for helping protect our winters.
Read POW Europe’s full 2025 Impact Report
— Jonas Schneider,
Executive Director at POW Europe
