The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) believes that climbers and mountaineers can best meet their environmental responsibilities and help safeguard mountain regions and their local communities through actions that include (self) awareness, planning and implementing practical measures, advocacy, and the regular exchange of experiences. However, there are potentially numerous and diverse sustainability objectives to consider, many of which overlap. Therefore, addressing them requires simple and practical actions that serve multiple benefits and are adequately adapted to the specific context.

The Abridged Document: Summary of Actions

Hereafter is the summary of actions with each recommendation being linked to more material that explains background and reasoning (see full UIAA Sustainability Charter), with the cross-references to relevant numbered items found in the full UIAA Sustainability Charter in [square brackets].

These are the key requirements:

Addressing Climate Change

For the UIAA, addressing climate change through actions such as reducing and limiting greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation), increase resilience to the imminent climate-induced changes, impacts and hazards posed in mountain regions (adaptation), and actively engage in advocacy, must be a priority.

At the UIAA organisational level

At a Member Federation level

More detail on the background information, foundational and source document on climate change can be found in the full UIAA Sustainability Charter; in particular for this topic see Section 2 and 3 [2.1 and 3.1 – 3.4].

Reducing Impacts to the Natural Environment

Travel through and in awe-inspiring places is an essential element in climbing and mountaineering experiences. Climbers and mountaineers should endeavour to keep those places pristine by reducing their impact on the natural environment, and support efforts to help restore mountain ecosystems.

At the UIAA organisational level

At a Member Federation level

More detail on the background information, foundational and source document on environmental impact reduction can be found in the full UIAA Sustainability Charter; in particular for this topic see Sections 2 and 3 [2.1 and 3.5 – 3.12].

Reducing Social Impacts and Promoting Positive Social Change

More detail on the background information, foundational and source document on social impacts and cross-cutting topics to promote positive change in climbing and mountaineering can be found in the full UIAA Sustainability Charter; in particular for this topic see Sections 2 and 3 [2.1 and 3.13 – 3.17].