Waste Management and Disposal

[vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="center" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="60473" img_size="full" alignment="center" qode_hover_animation="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" text_align="left" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="60" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no" el_class=".large"][vc_column][no_elements_holder number_of_columns="one_column"][no_elements_holder_item item_padding="0px 15px 0px 15px" aligment="left" advanced_animations="no"][vc_column_text]Concentrated visitor activity in mountain areas generates significant amounts of both solid waste and wastewater, which can pollute water and soil through improper storage and disposal. Solid waste can build up from food and beverage consumption and the disposal of used packaging, supplies and equipment. Projects that minimize trash...

Resources and Energy Consumption

[vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="center" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="60246" img_size="full" alignment="center" qode_hover_animation="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" text_align="left" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="60" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no" el_class=".large"][vc_column][no_elements_holder number_of_columns="one_column"][no_elements_holder_item item_padding="0px 15px 0px 15px" aligment="left" advanced_animations="no"][vc_column_text]A scarcity of natural resources such as wood, food, water or energy in remote and high altitude areas means that a concentration of tourists can create competition between tourists and local communities for shared environmental resources, thus increasing potential points of conflict with local people. Similarly, pollution (air,...

Culture and Education

[vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="center" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="60246" img_size="full" alignment="center" qode_hover_animation="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" text_align="left" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="60" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no" el_class=".large"][vc_column][no_elements_holder number_of_columns="one_column"][no_elements_holder_item item_padding="0px 15px 0px 15px" aligment="left" advanced_animations="no"][vc_column_text]Tourists are increasingly interested in learning more about the different ecosystems, wildlife, cultures and communities that they encounter during the course of their trip. Visitor education and interpretation efforts can help communicate ideas and messages to travelers that increase their awareness, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural...

Conservation of Biodiversity

[vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="center" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="60470" img_size="full" alignment="center" qode_hover_animation="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" text_align="left" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="60" css_animation="" box_shadow_on_row="no" el_class=".large"][vc_column][no_elements_holder number_of_columns="one_column"][no_elements_holder_item item_padding="0px 15px 0px 15px" aligment="left" advanced_animations="no"][vc_column_text]Mountain ecosystems include a wide range of small and unique habitats, with flora and fauna that may have very short growing and reproductive seasons, and may be particularly sensitive to disturbance by human activity. High visitor concentrations often result in the development and intense use of tracks, paths...

NZAC hosts successful Sustainable Summits Conference

130 attendees took part in the Sustainable Summits Conference, organized by the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park from 7-11 August. Hugh Logan, former Director General of the New Zealand Department of Conservation, articulated the spirit of the conference in his Summing Up-What Can We Do? presentation."The conference is the third in a series where people passionate about sustainable management of mountain areas have gathered to discuss social, environmental and economic issues affecting...

Celebration of the first ascents of Mounts Makalu and Kanchenjunga

News from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) related to their Diamond Jubilee Celebration marking the first successful ascents of Mounts Makalu (8,481) and Kanchenjunga (8,586m). The General Assembly of the Union of Asian Alpine Associations (UAAA) is scheduled for 18-19 November in Kathmandu. All the members of the UAAA have been invited to attend the meeting. The International Conference on Mountain Tourism, Climate Change and Earthquakes in Nepal will be also organized in Kathmandu during the same...

Four tonnes of waste cleared by Respect the Mountains team

The penultimate event of the 2016 UIAA Respect the Mountains Series was held in Tignes, France on Friday 26 August. Tignes Développement was responsible for organizing the second event held in the Rhone-Alpes region, following the meet in Samoens earlier in August. The resort of Tignes, at 2,169m, is best known as a ski resort although also offers ample summer activities from mountain biking to paragliding. Together with nearby Val d'Isère, it forms the "Espace Killy" ski area. In excess...

UIAA granted Observer Member status at COP22

The UIAA will be present at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) in a Observer Member capacity. The conference will take place in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November, 2016. The UIAA’s presence at COP22 follows on from its role at COP21 where it raised awareness, in partnership with other mountain bodies, about the effects of climate change on mountain regions. The protection of the mountain environment is a key pillar of what the UIAA stands for. The...

Respect the Mountains visits Russia

The seventh event of the 2016 UIAA Respect the Mountains Series was held last weekend around the mighty peaks of Mount Kazbek, Russia. Another weekend of scorching temperatures and hard endeavour by a group of volunteers promoting sustainable practices in mountain regions. The UIAA Respect the Mountains project is partnered by KEEN and comprises nine summer clean-up events in eight European countries. The next event will be held in Tignes, France this Friday. Anyone in the...