Climbing the Seven Summits and Charles Darwin University Partner to Protect Mountain Ecosystems
At Climbing the Seven Summits (CTSS), we’re committed to providing world-class mountaineering experiences while prioritizing the health and sustainability of the environments we explore and the mountain communities who support us. As part of this commitment, we are excited to announce a new partnership with researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) to better understand and mitigate the mountaineering industry’s impact on the ecosystems surrounding the Seven Summits.
Led by CDU Lecturer in Sustainability Leadership and Management Dr. Chrystie Watson—who will climb each of the Seven Summits with CTSS—this long-term project will assess the effectiveness of management strategies, investigate the environmental psychology of mountaineers, and review industry practices. CTSS aims to use the study’s findings to inform how we can not only improve our own practices but promote greater social, economic, and environmental stewardship across the mountaineering industry.
We believe that true adventure is built on integrity—caring for the fragile ecosystems, local communities, and economies that support our industry. Ethical and sustainable adventure travel isn’t an add-on for us; it’s the foundation on which we operate. By partnering with CDU, we aim to enhance our ongoing sustainability efforts with not only field data collected by researchers but also first-hand insight from CTSS climbers and guides.
Sustainability in the mountains probably conjures images from recent media coverage highlighting issues of environmental degradation and over-tourism, which has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of mountaineering on the world’s great peaks. While critically important, environmental sustainability—including minimizing the ecological footprint of climbers by reducing waste, preventing trail erosion, and protecting biodiversity—is only one aspect of a wholistic approach to preserving these cherished places.
Tour the CTSS Everest Base Camp powered by the largest solar array on the mountain.
Economic sustainability, for example, ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.
Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.
Social sustainability emphasizes the ethical treatment of workers, cultural respect, and community engagement. This includes ensuring safe working conditions for porters and guides, respecting indigenous traditions, and involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Learn more about CTSS’s commitment to porter welfare on Kilimanjaro.
Together, these three pillars of sustainability help create a mountaineering experience that not only preserves the natural beauty of the world’s highest peaks but also supports the people and economies that rely on them—and on whom our climbers rely.
We encourage all members of the CTSS and broader mountaineering community to join us in the pursuit of sustainable adventure travel by adopting responsible practices. In addition to following Leave No Trace principles, reducing waste, choosing eco-friendly or secondhand gear, consider the opportunities below to have a greater impact while leaving a smaller footprint.
Seven Summits Sustainability Project
- Donate to CDU researcher Chrystie Watson’s fundraising efforts
- Participate in the CDU online survey and interview with researchers
CTSS’s broader commitment to sustainability
- Collect data on behalf of high-altitude citizen science projects (e.g., AlpAlga, Vertical Flora, etc.)
- Make a financial contribution to Tiger of the Snows Fund
Contribute gently used gear to organizations like the Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization
As this initiative unfolds, CTSS and CDU will release research findings, policy recommendations, and best practice guidelines to encourage sustainable mountaineering worldwide. The ultimate goal is to ensure that high-altitude environments remain both resilient and accessible, even as more people seek the challenge and beauty of these majestic landscapes.
We believe partnerships like this—which combine field research, industry expertise, and a shared passion for sustainability—are essential to finding solutions that allow mountaineers to explore while minimizing the negative impact on the natural world. CTSS is proud to take this next step in expanding our commitment to sustainability, and we hope you’ll join us in paving the way toward safeguarding the world’s greatest peaks for generations to come!
