Environmental associations, with their mission to promote awareness and involvement around crucial sustainability and conservation issues, are key to combating environmental degradation and promoting more equitable and environmentally responsible development.
They work on many fronts, from environmental education in schools to influencing public policy, playing a multi-faceted role that goes beyond mere advocacy.
One of the most significant contributions of these associations is environmental education. Through educational programmes, workshops, and awareness-raising campaigns, they instil in citizens, especially young people, a deep understanding of contemporary environmental challenges.
More than that, they equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to make environmentally responsible choices in their daily lives. The environmental education promoted by these organisations is not limited to theoretical knowledge but encompasses practical learning about how to live responsibly with the environment and respect the planet’s natural resources.
Moreover, these environmental associations are crucial in mobilising civil society. They organise campaigns and movements to push for legislative changes and public policies that protect the environment.
Through petitions, demonstrations and lobbying of policy makers, they are fighting for stricter anti-pollution laws, the conservation of natural areas and the transition to renewable energy. This civic mobilisation is essential to ensure that community voices are heard in political arenas, influencing decisions that affect the environment and, consequently, the future of all.
In this way, and through the above-mentioned actions, environmental associations cultivate a sense of collective and individual responsibility towards the environment.
In short, environmental partnerships are indispensable for building an environmentally responsible future. That is why we highlight below three partnerships that play an important role in their societies and are active on different environmental fronts. They are: ASPEA in Portugal, Legambiente in Italy and the Spanish Association for Environmental Education in Spain.
ASPEA in Portugal
As noted above, the highlight for Portugal is the ASPEA organisation, a non-profit environmental NGO founded in June 1990, whose main objective is the development of Environmental Education in formal and non-formal education.
Among the actions promoted by the organisation is the “Let’s Take Care of the Planet!” project, which represents a pioneering initiative in Portugal aimed at creating a collaborative network of schools dedicated to citizenship education, with a special focus on environmental issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Portugal, where civic participation is relatively low compared to the rest of Europe, there is a great need for educational projects that promote environmental awareness and action.
In this context, “Let’s Take Care of the Planet!” emerged as a response to this need, seeking to involve young people and educators in a collective effort to promote greater environmental and civic awareness.
By increasing awareness-raising and training activities in schools, focusing on citizenship education and environmentally responsible development, the aim is to create a deeper awareness and active engagement of young people in the future of the planet.
The formation of a national network of schools facilitates the exchange of resources, ideas, and good practices, broadening the impact and reach of the project.
Furthermore, by influencing public policy and promoting the participation of these young people in political decisions, the project aims to ensure that the voices of the next generation are heard and taken into account in national environmental strategies.
As part of the partnership, another of the actions promoted are the Pedagogical Days of Environmental Education, the next of which is scheduled to take place between 19 and 21 April 2024. One of the objectives of this year’s event is to establish a link with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). This is in the context of the launch in Portugal of the VIII Lusophone Congress on Environmental Education, scheduled to take place in Manaus, Brazil, at the end of July 2025.
In an interview, the ASPEA president explains the need to promote debate on the importance of joint planning and decision-making. “This conference will also offer a retrospective of 30 years, highlighting the actors, learning, experiences and exchanges that have contributed to the development of the field of Environmental Education in Portugal, the CPLP and Galicia,” he says.
Italy and the Legambiente Association
In Italy, Legambiente is a non-profit, non-partisan environmental association with 40 years of intense activity in defence of the environment, quality of life and a fairer and more caring society.
According to the information disseminated, it is made up of committed citizens who, through volunteering and direct participation, seek to be agents of change for a better future. The organisation bases its mission on scientific environmentalism. It is based on the collection of thousands of data on the ecosystem, essential for denunciations and proposals to fight against pollution, illegality, and injustice.
With 18 regional offices, more than 1,000 local groups and some 115,000 members and supporters, Legambiente represents the largest environmental movement in Italy.
The association has achieved important legislative victories, such as the end of the use of nuclear energy in the country, the introduction of the Environmental Offences Act, the banning of plastic bags and the release of the Green Hill Beagle dogs.
However, despite these achievements, the organisation stresses that many challenges remain and invites more people to join the movement, underlining the continued need for support and involvement in preserving the environment and promoting a better world.
Spanish Association for Environmental Education
The Spanish Association for Environmental Education, created in 1995, is a scientific and non-profit institution that brings together individuals, associations, companies, and organisations dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary environmental education.
Focused on environmentally responsible development and the improvement of the global quality of life, the association bases its activities on the values of Human Rights and other international declarations. It aims to raise awareness and capacity for action on current and future environmental challenges by encouraging the participation of all those concerned about the environment in its initiatives.
Among its main objectives, the association strives to foster communication and exchange of experiences in environmental education, support research, promote institutional awareness and offer professional advice in this field.
It also awards an Environmental Educator diploma to qualified professionals, thus contributing to the recognition of the importance of these specialists in society. This collective effort aims to build a more environmentally responsible future through education and conscious action on environmental challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, environmental associations are essential for fostering meaningful civic engagement and effective environmental advocacy. Through educational initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns and influencing public policy, these organisations play a key role in promoting a more conscious and responsible society in relation to contemporary environmental challenges.
ASPEA in Portugal, Legambiente in Italy and the Spanish Association for Environmental Education are emblematic examples of how environmental activism can shape environmentally responsible policies, educate present and future generations, and mobilise civil society in favour of environmental conservation.
