Children's miles - Little climate protectors on the move
Children are leading the way: while "the big ones" are still negotiating about the climate, "the little ones" are active and collecting Green Footprints in districts, cities and municipalities to protect the global climate.
Presentation of the 2025 Kindermeilen Certificates
On September 20, 2025, Janina Steinkrüger, the city’s commissioner for the environment and transportation, presented the certificates to students from participating elementary schools at the Agenda Sonnenmarkt and World Children’s Day.
This year, approximately 2,400 students collected nearly 20,000 “Kindermeilen” (car-free trips to school).
Eight elementary schools participated in the “Kindermeilen” campaign weeks:
- Pestalozzi School
- Feldberg Elementary School
- An den Römersteinen Elementary School
- Mainz-Laubenheim Elementary School
- Peter-Härtling School
- Heinrich-Mumbächer School
- Brunnenschule
- Am Lemmchen Elementary School
What is the Kids' Miles campaign?
Children have fun and get exercise while learning about their own mobility, exploring topics such as nutrition, energy consumption, and climate justice, and collecting "green miles" for a symbolic climate journey around the world.
Since 2002, the Children's Miles Campaign has been supporting children across Europe in learning about the impact of their daily lives on the climate and encouraging them to be role models for their parents and climate policymakers.
What is being done?
For at least one week, the children collect "green miles" for every journey they make on foot, by bike, or by public transport, as well as for other environmentally friendly behaviors such as eating regional food.
Who can participate?
In Mainz and across Europe, school classes and daycare children aged six to twelve can once again participate in the Kids' Miles campaign this year.
How long can Green Miles be collected?
The time frame for the campaign week can be chosen freely. The Children's Miles campaign ends every year in October, when all the "Green Miles" are handed over by the Climate Alliance to politicians at the UN Climate Change Conference.
How does the Green and Environment Office provide support?
Has interest been sparked and a school class or daycare group would like to hold a Children's Miles campaign week? Then Johanna Schlosser, who is responsible for environmental information and education, is available to assist.
- Registration by email or phone with Johanna Schlosser
- Materials will be provided free of charge
- Advice and brainstorming
- If necessary, introduction to the action week with Johanna Schlosser
- Collected "green miles" will be accepted at the Agenda Sonnenmarkt by the head of the environmental department and the green and environmental office