Founded on ISO 20121:2024, the international benchmark for sustainable event management, the new label provides a tailored, credible and practical framework for events operating in alpine and mountainous regions — from winter sports and endurance events to cultural festivals and global conferences.

A tailored approach to ISO 20121

Unlike traditional certification routes, the SMA Sustainable Event Label operates as a second-party certification, sitting between self-declaration and full third-party accreditation. This approach has been deliberately designed to balance rigour with accessibility, particularly for event organisers working in complex mountain settings.

“As an organisation, we wanted something that retained the credibility and seriousness of ISO, but was more approachable for events,” explained Pierre Germeau, Co-founder of the Sustainable Mountain Alliance. “ISO standards can sometimes feel complex and difficult to navigate. What we’ve done is adapt and focus on the elements of the standard that are most relevant to mountain constraints.”

The label has been developed with direct expertise from contributors involved in the revision of ISO 20121:2024, ensuring it remains firmly aligned with international best practice while reflecting the realities on the ground

Why mountain events need a dedicated label

Mountain environments are warming faster than the global average, facing increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, water stress and growing human activity. Events in these regions must contend with altitude, fragile ecosystems, limited infrastructure, remote access and extreme weather variability — challenges rarely addressed adequately by generic sustainability frameworks.

“Mountain environments have very specific characteristics,” Germeau said. “Through this label, we take those specificities properly into account.”

The SMA defines a mountain event as one taking place at significant elevation — typically above 1,000–1,500 metres — or within alpine landscapes featuring peaks, slopes, valleys or passes. This encompasses a wide range of activities including skiing, biathlon, mountain and trail running, cycling, ski mountaineering, paragliding, music festivals and conferences, such as those held annually in Davos

From principles to practice

The SMA Sustainable Event Label is built around the Plan–Do–Check–Act methodology and encourages events to embed sustainability across their entire lifecycle — from bidding and planning through delivery and legacy.

Key focus areas include:

• Transport and logistics
• Carbon emissions reduction
• Energy, water and resource management
• Biodiversity protection
• Waste reduction and circular practices
• Local sourcing and community engagement

The label explicitly rejects greenwashing, instead promoting continuous improvement and transparency. Events are assessed through a document audit and an event audit, with certification awarded at Bronze, Silver or Gold level depending on performance. Successful certification is valid for three years, subject to annual surveillance audits.

Built for scale — from local to global events

Crucially, the framework has been designed to be accessible to events of all sizes, from small community races to major international competitions. Organisers begin by completing an application form and receiving an Implementation Toolkit, which guides them through leadership commitment, stakeholder engagement, materiality assessment and action planning.

“We didn’t want a one-size-fits-all checklist,” Germeau noted. “This is about recognising progress, encouraging better decision-making, and helping events move forward year on year.”

Looking beyond events

Alongside the label, SMA is also developing citizen science initiatives linked to mountain environments, including projects that leverage athletes and visitors to collect data such as snow depth measurements — an area where traditional scientific monitoring is costly and limited.

“Glacier and snow data collection is incredibly expensive and time-consuming,” Germeau said. “The idea is to leverage the people already in the mountains to help collect meaningful information.”

A new benchmark for mountain sustainability

The launch of the SMA Sustainable Event Label represents a global first, filling a long-standing gap between international standards and the realities of mountain events. By aligning ISO 20121 with environmental stewardship, inclusion, integrity and transparency, SMA has created a tool that could shape how mountain sport and events operate for years to come.

As pressure on alpine environments continues to grow, the message from SMA is clear: sustainability in the mountains can no longer be optional — and now, there is a framework built specifically to deliver it.