Atomic hosted the first-ever Ski Industry Climate Summit which left an indelible mark on the ski industry’s commitment to combat climate change. The summit, held on September 13 and 14, 2023 in Salzburg, Austria, brought together major industry players and witnessed substantial progress towards a sustainable future for winter sports.
Around 140 participants attended, including leading ski and snowboard brands such as Salomon, Rossignol, Head, Völkl, Burton, Niedecker, as well as retailers like Decathlon, Sport Conrad, and Bründl, and organizations like the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and Snowsports Industry Association (SIA).
Supported by the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and Protect Our Winters (POW), the summit received positive feedback:
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to participate in the Ski Industry Climate Summit organized by Atomic, and to engage in critical discussions on the impacts that the future EU sustainability initiatives will have on the industry. At FESI, we firmly believe that by coming together, sharing knowledge, and embracing innovation, we can pave the way for a more environmentally responsible and sustainable future for winter sports. The Ski Industry Climate Summit is the perfect forum to embody this commitment.”
— Jérome Pero, Secretary General at FESI
Key accomplishments of the summit
The Ski Industry Climate Summit achieved several significant milestones:
- It encouraged meaningful interaction between industry representatives, fostering dialogue and cooperation on how to collectively address climate challenges.
- It played a pivotal role in elevating the industry’s awareness of data-driven climate action.
- Attendees received crucial education on upcoming legislation and policies pertaining to products and business practices, ensuring industry readiness for regulatory changes.
- Key areas of action, including material requirements, information exchange, and recycling systems, received increased industry attention, laying the groundwork for sustainable practices.
- Participants found common ground on workgroups and projects, including efforts to establish industry standards, such as the “product environmental footprint category rule” and “data exchange harmonization”.
The work continues
The summit’s achievements underscore the ski industry’s commitment to meaningful change and reducing its climate impact. It serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing, laying the foundation for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for winter sports.
Looking ahead, Atomic, FESI, and POW will select a common commitment aimed at uniting the entire industry under a shared goal. These entities will then share this common declaration for industry members to sign.
Working better together is guiding winter sports toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
