March 11, 2011. The 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid will be an environmentally sustainable event in respect for the earth, thanks to the campaign “100% natural.” Part of the work will be carried out by the Spanish company Zeroemissions, which plans to offset the environmental impact of World Youth  Day through purchasing carbon credits from five sustainable projects, meant to represent every continent.

Emilio Rodríguez Izquierdo
Director General, Zeroemissions
“Our work is based on calculating the carbon footprint of the entire event and the voluntary offset of emissions in the same way others have done with events this large, such as the Olympics or major cultural events like concerts, which follow this trend in reducing your carbon footprint and offsetting it with carbon credits from projects that produce clean energy.”

The energy clean World Youth Day has also created a new path in Madrid for people to walk or ride their bikes, in attempts to cut down on CO2 emissions.

Eva Latonda
Director, 100% Natural, WYD Madrid 2011
“During the event we are going to create a series of footpaths that are good for the environment. For example, one path will go from Cibeles to Cuatro Vientos Aerodrome, where people can walk or bike. We will also create an online tool called 'car poolin' so pilgrims can find a place to catch a ride.”

To help publicize the campaign, young people can participate in a logo design contest by 100% Natural. The winner of which will win a trip to Rome for two people.