"Imperfect Advocacy" - no one is perfect, but everyone can make a contribution

• Education, collaboration and political engagement
• Mobility, biodiversity, overconsumption and green energy transition
• Brand partnerships
• Film Downstream as a Best Case for Environmental Education
• Mountain Biking, Trail Running and other Outdoor Sports

ISPO.com: Some people don’t quite see the impact you have. Often it is not clear what an NGO does. Could you explain your impact?

Of course. We work on three pillars: education, collaboration, and advocacy. Through education, we have various projects explaining climate change and its local and global impacts. Collaboration involves working with brands to amplify our impact, not just individually, but as an industry-wide movement. Finally, advocacy focuses on systemic change – ensuring that policies support climate action and sustainable outdoor experiences.

Advocacy can be a broad term. How would you explain it to someone from the outdoor or sporting goods industry?

The fight against climate change is bringing new regulations and reporting requirements for brands. But beyond compliance, we need legal and policy shifts that help companies and communities transition toward sustainability. For example, this year, we ran a major European election campaign to encourage voting and awareness. We also created a manifesto outlining the policy changes needed to protect outdoor spaces and promote sustainable living.

What does this manifesto include?

It focuses on four key areas:

1.  emission reductions in mobility,
2. biodiversity protection,
3. reducing overconsumption, and
4. advancing green energy transition.
These priorities will help reduce our collective impact and promote a sustainable lifestyle. Our website contains the full manifesto, including research and explanations.

What are the next challenges or steps in advocacy?

The elections were a significant milestone, but much work remains. We mobilized a large segment of the outdoor community and many brands, so the next step is to deepen advocacy efforts. We want more brands to partner with POW and commit to going beyond existing legislation to push for a sustainable future together.

Let’s talk about brand partnerships. What does a partnership between POW and a company look like?

We collaborate by combining our expertise and reach. Together, we educate audiences on climate change, inspire action, and create impactful campaigns. We work with athletes, creatives, and scientists to spread the message in an engaging, fact-based way. Our goal is imperfect advocacy—recognizing that no one is perfect, but everyone can contribute.

From a brand’s perspective, what are the financial implications of partnering with POW?

Partnerships vary based on company size and the impact we can create together. As an NGO, we rely on donations, but it’s a mutual relationship. We provide climate literacy training and help companies integrate sustainability into their operations. A great example is FIS, where we started with a letter from athletes advocating for change, and now we’re actively working together on sustainable solutions for ski and snowboard competitions.

Can you share another brand example of a successful partnership?

Yes! We recently collaborated with Icebreaker on a film called Downstream, which explores the effects of climate change on water systems and how regenerative agriculture impacts water dams.

Influencers and ambassadors play a big role in spreading messages. How do you work with them?

We work with athletes, scientists, and creatives to inspire action in an engaging yet factual way. People connect with these figures emotionally—whether it’s an athlete sharing their experience or a creative storytelling approach that makes the message resonate deeply.

POW is growing rapidly. Can you tell us more about membership opportunities?

We operate globally, and individuals can sign up to become members. Membership is local, meaning people can engage in initiatives relevant to their regions. Whether it’s volunteering, attending events, or following our campaigns, we encourage active participation. Seeing this movement grow is truly inspiring!

You’re expanding beyond winter sports. Can you share more about that?

Yes! While we started with winter sports, climate change affects summer activities too. We now focus on mountain biking, trail running, and other outdoor sports. Our goal is to protect all outdoor spaces, year-round.

Thank you, Dominique, for this insightful conversation!

Thank you for the interview!