SPCC and CBCF Advance Everest 1° Initiative to Strengthen Waste Management and Sustainability in Khumbu Region
On World Environment Day 2026, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and the Cimex BYD Charity Foundation (CBCF) reaffirmed their joint commitment to protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem through the Everest 1° Initiative, a long-term program focused on waste management, climate resilience, clean energy, and sustainable mountaineering in the Everest region.
The initiative, inspired by BYD’s global goal of “cooling the Earth by 1°C,” builds on collaboration started in 2025 and addresses severe environmental challenges in the Khumbu region, where decades of climbing activity and climate change have left over 80 tons of waste, including plastics, oxygen cylinders, and human waste.
A key achievement in Spring 2026 was the establishment of the first Everest Rangers Base at Camp II, where dedicated rangers monitored waste compliance and promoted responsible disposal practices across high-altitude camps. During the season, despite record climber participation (701 climbers across Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse), major cleanup operations were carried out, including recovery of over 1,226 kg of waste from high camps, 210 gas canisters, 1,769 waste bags, and an additional 6,522 kg transported via the Khumbu Icefall checkpoint.
The partnership also introduced innovative solutions such as drone-assisted waste transport (piloted in 2025 with Airlift Technologies), climber environmental orientation programs, improved human waste systems, and expanded waste collection infrastructure. Additionally, CBCF supported clean energy transition by installing a 5 KVA solar PV system at Everest Base Camp, reducing reliance on fuel-based energy.
Overall, the Everest 1° Initiative aims to establish a sustainable model of high-altitude environmental stewardship by combining technology, community engagement, and renewable energy to preserve the Everest ecosystem for future generations.
