We have a brave vision of a sustainable Jamboree

Sustainability is the ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing environmental, social, and economic factors.

Our vision is to have a Jamboree where scouts, through their brave actions, think about others by respecting the environment and by making use of minimal natural material so as not to cause harm to the environment. Living a simple lifestyle where we make sure that there is no needless overconsumption of resources.

At the 26th World Scout Jamboree, sustainability will be at the heart of everything we do. Our dream is to host an event that meets today’s needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This means balancing care for the environment, supporting people and communities, and making smart economic choices.

Sustainability is not just about reducing waste and emissions – it’s also about how we live and work together. During the Jamboree, participants will explore four clusters of sustainability:

• Material Life Cycle,
• Emissions,
• Social,

Each Contingent, together with the Jamboree Organisation, has the responsibility to act responsibly and minimise their environmental impact.

From using fewer single-use plastics and choosing sustainable transport, to creating an inclusive and welcoming community, every action matters. By working together, we can live simply, respect nature, and ensure that the Jamboree leaves a positive legacy for Scouts, local communities, and the world.

Firstly, we focus specifically on travel because it is often the largest source of emissions and a key area where Contingents can start planning and acting early. However, this is just the beginning.

Traveling Sustainably to the World Scout Jamboree in Poland

Attending a World Scout Jamboree is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — a celebration of friendship, learning, and global community. But as Scouts, we also have a responsibility to care for our planet. One of the biggest impacts of international events like the Jamboree is the carbon footprint created by travel.

With Contingents coming from every corner of the globe, making sustainable travel choices is one of the most powerful ways we can reduce our environmental impact.

Here’s how you and your Contingent can make your journey to Poland as sustainable as possible — wherever in the world you’re coming from:  — wherever in the world you’re coming from:

 1. Rethink the Way You Travel — If You Can, Go Overland

For European Contingents and nearby regions:
 If your journey to Poland is less than 2,000 km, the most sustainable option is almost always to travel by train, coach, or bus instead of flying. Rail travel produces up to 90% less CO₂ than flying the same distance. Consider organising a group train journey or a chartered coach to travel together. Not only does this significantly lower emissions, but it also extends the Jamboree spirit — the adventure begins the moment you leave home!

• Trains: Use Europe’s extensive rail network and combine international trains with local services.
• Coaches: For groups, coaches can be efficient and cost-effective.
• Local travel: Once in Poland, use public transport, or shared shuttles to reach the Jamboree site.

 2. If Flying Is Necessary — Make It as Green as Possible

For intercontinental Contingents:
Flying may be the only practical way to reach Poland. But there are still ways to reduce your impact:

• Select airlines with modern, fuel-efficient fleets: Some airlines invest in more efficient aircraft and use sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
• Offset your emissions responsibly: Many organisations offer carbon offsetting for flights — but choose certified projects that provide long-term climate benefits and social value (e.g., reforestation, renewable energy in developing regions).
• Travel light: Every kilogram on board increases fuel use. Packing minimally as a group reduces total emissions.

 3. Combine Your Jamboree Journey with a Sustainable Programme

Instead of viewing the trip as a simple return flight, consider integrating educational and environmental activities into your travel:

• Climate action projects: Partner with local Scouts or NGOs along your preparations for tree planting, clean-ups, or biodiversity projects.
• Stopovers with purpose: If you need a layover, use it to visit a sustainability-focused site or museum, or to connect with local Scout groups.
• Carbon literacy workshops: Teach participants about the climate impact of travel and empower them to make low-impact choices in the future.

4. Travel as a Team — and Think Beyond the Jamboree

Group travel isn’t just fun — it’s also more sustainable. Coordinating transport reduces per-person emissions and often costs less. And the impact doesn’t stop when the Jamboree ends: consider how participants return home and how lessons learned about sustainable mobility can inspire action in your own communities.

• Group bookings can unlock discounts on trains or buses.
• Shared luggage and equipment means fewer resources are needed.
• Post-Jamboree sustainability goals help Scouts continue the journey toward climate action at home.

 5. Lead by Example — Scouts as Climate Stewards

The World Scout Jamboree is more than just an event — it’s a symbol of our commitment to building a better world. By choosing sustainable travel options, we show that Scouting is serious about tackling the climate crisis. Each small decision — from taking the train instead of a plane, to offsetting a necessary flight, to sharing a bus with another Contingent — adds up to a global difference.

Remember: The journey is part of the Jamboree. By making it as sustainable as possible, we not only reduce our environmental footprint but also live out the Scout promise — leaving the world a little better than we found it.