PGC 2025

PROJECT GREEN CHALLENGE DAY 27
Challenge Doodle

Commitment

WHAT CAN YOU COMMIT TO?

The most powerful climate solutions begin with a promise: a bold, specific, and impactful commitment to act. In the face of escalating climate impacts, this is more than a personal pledge; it is a public declaration that fuels accountability, inspires collaboration, and delivers measurable results. Around the world, leaders, communities, and organizations are setting ambitious commitments to accelerate climate action, proving that transformation is possible when we hold ourselves accountable.

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Let us be on the right side of history, for our people, our nations, and future generations, whose lives will be shaped by the work we do today.“

— Hillary Clinton, former United States Secretary of State
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The urgency is both undeniable and measurable. To keep the planet within safe temperature limits, global greenhouse gas emissions must decline sharply in the coming years. Meaningful climate action must happen at every level: personal, community, municipal, and global.

The concept of a Commitment to Action, popularized by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), is a powerful model for making promises that truly matter. CGI Commitments to Action are clear, specific, and time-bound, designed to mobilize diverse partners, resources, and strategies to achieve measurable results. They show that when intention is paired with accountability and collaboration, transformation is possible.

Global frameworks like the Paris Climate Agreement represent historic collective commitments made by nations to limit global temperature rise. These agreements set the direction, but it is networks of Mayors supporting climate leadership like C40 Cities and Climate Mayors in the U.S. that bring them to life by translating high-level goals into tangible, local action. From transitioning entire bus fleets to zero emissions, to mandating net-zero building codes, to reimagining urban green space, these efforts prove that ambitious commitments can be implemented at scale.

Yet commitments are not solely the domain of governments, mayors, or multinational organizations. They belong to all of us. Turning Green has shown how young people worldwide can take ownership of their role in the climate movement by transforming daily choices, mobilizing peers, and driving systemic change through education, creativity, and persistence. 

A commitment is more than a statement of intention. It is a bridge between belief and action — a living promise that demands follow-through. Whether made by a single student, a community group, a city, or an entire nation, commitments create shared purpose and direction. Woven together, these promises become the fabric of a movement — one that not only imagines a better future, but actively builds it.

PARTNERS

Guayaki
Guayaki

RESOURCES

CHALLENGE

Green

20 POINTS

THINK

Every movement begins with a voice, but it endures through commitment. Advocacy calls for change; commitment makes it real. When we live our values every day, we show that transformation doesn’t just happen out there — it starts within each of us.

Today’s about grounding your work. The commitment you make now will inform your Climate Action Project (CAP) and your ongoing changemaking journey: the bridge between what you imagine and what you create.


CHALLENGE

  • Revisit the issue or theme you explored on Day 25.
  • Imagine what success looks like if your advocacy worked:
    • What difference would you see in your community or the world?
    • Who or what would be better off because of your work?
  • First, read the Harvard Center’s Theory of Change guide to learn how defining outcomes helps plan for impact.
  • Then, draft your own Theory of Change Chart, starting with Outcomes.
  • Fill out the Outcomes column. Write one clear, measurable outcome you can personally commit to that advances your cause or reduces your footprint.
  • Examples:
    • Reduce single-use plastics in my school cafeteria by 50% by next year.
    • Engage 100 students in a weekly climate action series that leads to three sustainable policy changes on campus.
  • Write a few sentences explaining why this outcome matters to you and how it connects to your Day 25 advocacy.
  • Create an image or post — handwritten, illustrated, or digital — that represents your commitment. Share it on Instagram with a short caption including:
    • Your measurable outcome
    • Why it matters
    • How it connects to your advocacy
  • Tag @TurningGreenOrg and @c40cities in both the image and the caption, and include #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

  1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF.
  2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
  3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day27_green_2025.pdf or teamname_day27_green_2025
  4. Example: kasie_jones_day27_green_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day27_green_2025.pdf
  5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
  6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
  7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
  8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
  9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
  10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
  11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

Greener

40 POINTS

THINK

Every bold movement starts with a promise — a clear commitment to act. Around the world, communities and nations are setting ambitious climate pledges, from net-zero goals to youth-led strikes. Each began with vision, trust, and collaboration. Big change grows from the same inspiration that drives personal change: one commitment that inspires others to join in.

Now, you’ll look at how those commitments succeed, and apply that thinking to your own project. In a Theory of Change, the next step after defining your outcome is identifying your targets: the people, groups, or systems that must act for those outcomes to happen.


CHALLENGE

  • Explore one large-scale climate commitment or movement that inspires you, such as C40 Cities’ Net-Zero by 2050, Fridays for Future, or Plastic Free July.
  • Look for clues about who makes those commitments successful.
    • Who do they engage or influence?
    • How do they motivate action?
    • What partnerships make it possible?
  • Then, apply these insights to your own idea, adding a Targets column to your Theory of Change Chart:
    • Identify 3–5 key targets who can help achieve the outcome you developed in your Green challenge. Refer to Harvard Center’s Theory of Change guide if needed.
    • For each, write a short note on what action or change you hope to see from them. Here are some examples:
      • Students: reduce single-use plastics on campus.
      • School administration: approve sustainable dining policies.
      • Local businesses: sponsor reusable options or awareness campaigns.
  • Reflect briefly on which target might be most important to start with, and why.
  • Create a short visual or written summary of your targets — this could be a list, a sketch, or a simple diagram connecting each target to your outcome.
  • Post your updated chart and visual/ summary on Instagram with a caption sharing one insight about who you’ll need to involve for your idea to succeed.
  • Tag @TurningGreenOrg and @c40cities in both the image and the caption, and include #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

    1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF.
    2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
    3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day27_greener_2025.pdf or teamname_day27_greener_2025
    4. Example: kasie_jones_day27_greener_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day27_greener_2025.pdf
    5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
    6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
    7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
    8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
    9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
    10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
    11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

Greenest

60 POINTS

THINK

Your commitment fuels your leadership — the bridge between what you care about and what you create. You’ve defined your outcome (the change you want to see) and your targets (the people or groups who can make it happen). Now, it’s time to plan how to get there.

In a Theory of Change, these are your strategies: the specific actions or activities that will move your targets toward your outcome. Your commitment today is the seed of your Climate Action Project — a plan that will turn your purpose into measurable impact.


CHALLENGE

  • Review your Theory of Change Chart from the previous challenges.
  • Add a third column labeled Strategies.
  • For each target, list specific actions or activities that could help achieve your outcome.
    • Think about what approaches will motivate action, build partnerships, or remove barriers. Here are some examples:
      • Host student workshops or clean-up events.
      • Partner with teachers to create a sustainability curriculum.
      • Meet with school administrators to propose policy changes.
      • Collaborate with local businesses or community groups.
    • Use the Harvard Center’s Theory of Change guide if you need more examples or structure.
  • When your chart feels complete, look it over as a full picture of your plan so far:
    • Do your strategies clearly connect to your targets?
    • Do your targets lead naturally toward your outcome?
    • What still feels unclear or needs more detail?
  • Present your completed Theory of Change Chart (Strategies → Targets → Outcomes) as a one-page written or visual format. You can type it, sketch it, or design it digitally.
  • Post a short caption or photo that symbolizes your commitment to action, and tag @TurningGreenOrg and @c40cities in both the image and caption with #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

    1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF including any links.
    2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
    3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day27_greenest_2025.pdf or teamname_day27_greenest_2025
    4. Example: kasie_jones_day27_greenest_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day27_greenest_2025.pdf
    5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
    6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
    7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
    8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
    9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
    10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
    11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

PRIZES

Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest outstanding submissions will be selected as winners.

You have led phenomenal work all month long! Today marks the last of our daily prize packages, before the PGC Finals application begins. Submit your Day 27 challenge for a chance to win prizes from our partners. Greener winners will select from the following array of amazing eco items that demonstrate commitment to people and planet.

You have led phenomenal work all month long! Today marks the last of our daily prize packages, before the PGC Finals application begins. Submit your Day 27 challenge for a chance to win prizes from our partners. Greenest winners will select from the following array of amazing eco items that demonstrate commitment to people and planet.

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