en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) of Nepal and the Cimex BYD Charity Foundation (CBCF) reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the Himalayan ecosystem through the "Everest 1° Initiative" on World Environment Day 2026. This initiative is a long-term program focused on sustainable waste management, climate resilience, clean energy, and environmental stewardship in the Everest region.
Inspired by BYD's vision of "Cool the Earth by 1°C," CBCF partnered with SPCC in 2025 to provide innovative solutions to the growing environmental challenges facing Mount Everest and the entire Khumbu region. Decades of mountaineering and climate change have placed continuous pressure on the Everest ecosystem. Over 80 tons of waste remain on the mountain, including oxygen cylinders, plastics, climbing gear, and human waste, threatening glaciers, water sources, and local communities.
A significant milestone was achieved during the 2026 spring climbing season when SPCC established its first Everest Ranger Base at Camp II. With CBCF's support, SPCC deployed two dedicated Everest Rangers responsible for enhancing environmental compliance, waste management oversight, climber awareness, and emergency support services in this high-altitude environment. Throughout the climbing season, the rangers monitored waste management activities above Base Camp, verified compliance with the mandatory waste bring-back requirement (at least 2 kg) at Camps III and IV, and promoted responsible disposal practices among expeditions.
The 2026 spring climbing season achieved remarkable environmental results despite a record number of climbers (701 climbers on Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse combined). Through SPCC's waste management and monitoring operations, 1,226 kg of non-recyclable waste was recovered from Camp III and the South Col; 210 EPI gas canisters and 1,769 poop bags were brought down from high camps; and an additional 6,522 kg of waste was transported through SPCC's Khumbu Glacier checkpoint, including plastics, metal cans, paper, kitchen waste, tents, ropes, and other climbing materials.
Building on these results, SPCC and CBCF plan to further strengthen waste management infrastructure in the Everest region. Measures include introducing a climber environmental guidance program, a dedicated human waste management system, specialized waste collection facilities at high camps, and expanding drone-assisted waste transport. This collaboration builds on a 2025 partnership with Airlift Technologies, where advanced drone technology was deployed to successfully collect and transport 283 kg of waste from Camp I during a high-altitude waste collection pilot, demonstrating the potential of technology-driven solutions for mountain conservation.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, CBCF also supported SPCC by donating and installing a 5 KVA solar photovoltaic system. This system provides clean, renewable energy at Everest Base Camp while reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources. Founded in 1991, SPCC is a Sherpa-led non-profit organization dedicated to environmental protection, waste management, climber safety, and sustainable development in the Everest region and Sagarmatha National Park. The Cimex BYD Charity Foundation (CBCF), launched in 2024, is a joint initiative of Cimex Inc. Pvt. Ltd. and BYD, focusing on education, healthcare, and sustainable development. Guided by BYD's vision of "Cool the Earth by 1°C," CBCF supports environmental protection, renewable energy, and community development projects across Nepal.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
