How can we support mountain destinations in their sustainability efforts? How can we facilitate their transition to meet the needs of tomorrow’s tourism? What concrete actions can be put in place, and how can we ensure they are communicated to the general public?

Sustainable Mountains is a support program by Summit Foundation for Swiss cable car companies, aiming to promote greater sustainability in mountain destinations. Participating companies commit to an analysis process, followed by the implementation of concrete measures based on a sustainability strategy.

It is possible to carry out this approach at the destination level by bringing several stakeholders to the table, such as the tourism organization and or the municipality.

Sustainable Mountains is based on a catalogue of around 80 commitments covering sustainability topics: governance, resource management, the preservation of biodiversity and landscapes, climate and mobility, as well as the economic and societal responsibilities of companies.

These flexible commitments are translated into simple, concrete measures, such as: implementing a sustainability strategy, staff training, on the ground actions to raise users’ awareness, reducing packaging in restaurants, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

A series of workshops presenting best practices enables participants to develop new measures and stay informed.

By taking part in the program, partner destinations primarily reduce their impact and structure their sustainability efforts, but they also position themselves as responsible stakeholders by communicating their commitments.