AUSTRIA

2,417 climate-friendly journeys to school in just 14 days: with this result, the 80 pupils from Kopfing Primary School in the municipality of Kopfing im Innkreis secured victory in the 2026 Klimameilen summer competition. Minister for Mobility Peter Hanke presented the children with their awards alongside Managing Director from Klimabündnis Österreich Elke Kastner at the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure. 

Copyright BMINI / Domnanovich

In Austria, it is a tradition to nominate the champion of the summer. 

In recognition of their efforts, the pupils and teaching staff at Kopfing Primary School were presented with a certificate and the ‘Klimameilen’ trophy. As a prize, the pupils also won a trip to Schönbrunn Zoo. Transport to and from the event for the summer winners was provided by Österreichische Postbus AG.

“Children are already helping to shape what tomorrow’s mobility will look like. The ‘Klimameilen’ campaign shows that active mobility begins on the journey to school: those who walk, cycle or ride a scooter get exercise, become more independent and experience their surroundings in a completely different way. [...] I warmly congratulate the pupils on their victory,” said Minister for Mobility Peter Hanke.

“Precisely because we are a relatively small school, I am particularly pleased with the level of commitment our children showed in the ‘Climate Miles’ campaign. [...] It’s wonderful to see how committed our pupils were and how much we can achieve together as a school. They can be truly proud of that. A heartfelt thank you to all the children, teachers and parents who took part and supported the campaign,” said Headmaster Christoph Raab-Wiesinger. 

“The journey to school offers an ideal posibility to try out climate-friendly transport in a practical way. Children discover that walking, cycling or riding a scooter is not only climate-friendly, but also fun and fosters independence. This is precisely what the ‘Klimameilen’ campaign has been highlighting for more than 20 years: many small journeys add up to something big when we do them together,” emphasises Elke Kastner, Managing Director of Climate Alliance Austria.