PROTECT WHAT MATTERS

From clean climbing, to conservation, at Black Diamond we’re committed to protecting the people and places we love. 

In 1972, Chouinard Equipment published the pivotal Clean Climbing Manifesto. At the time, most climbers were using fixed bolts and pitons, which permanently scarred and altered the rock. As the popularity of climbing increased, this method started to pose a threat to the natural beauty and state of climbing areas all over the world.

The Clean Climbing Manifesto encouraged climbers to embrace a new ethic, and use removable, protection. It’s also worth noting that at the time, 70% of Chouinard Equipment’s sales were from pitons—the very protection we were asking climbers to abandon.  

This ethos has given birth to many innovative pieces of equipment throughout our history at Black Diamond—now the modern iteration and continuation of Chouinard Equipment. It’s also an archetypal example of an ethos that not only spawns innovative equipment, but also drives the decisions we make as a brand.  
It all started with protection. Today is no different. We will continue to innovate new ways to protect what matters.

  • PRINCIPLES

     As a climbing company, we apply the key principles ofclean climbing and alpinism to guide our sustainability strategy:

    simplify as much as possible, take only what you need, leave nothing behind, know that maximum effort is required for maximum success, and sometimes it takes more than one try. These principles are inherent to who we are, who we have always been, and are applied to our sustainability strategy with rigor and passionate commitment.

GOALS

Our strategy and goals were designed to support the three main pillars of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. We selected our 2050 goals through these three lenses, and then worked our way back towards 2030 by identifying approachable steps. Currently, we are in the process of identifying and approving our science-based reduction targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative. 

AMONG OUR 2030 OBJECTIVES:

1. 50% Reduction in Carbon Emission Intensity
2. 50% of our productscomprised from preferred materials (defined by us as materials which have a smaller carbon footprint than their original counterpart)
3. Improved Product longevity through the highest quality, most durable best in class products – because durability and quality matter hugely in the sustainability equation
4. Major advancements in circularity and extended useful product life through our BD Re-Routeprogram
5. Become a certified B Corporation

COMMITMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

We know that a key component of our sustainability strategy is accountability. We want to be held accountable for the progress of these goals and initiatives. That requires clear and regular communication, as well as clear standards for measuring our progress.  This year, for example, we have introduced the first certified recycled aluminum trekking poles and carabiners in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories.  We have measured our 2024 baseline and will be reporting annually against our 2030 objectives in our annual impact report beginning 2025.