The exceptional mountaineer Kilian Jornet publishes his "Carbon Footprint" annually. His transparency is in the professional scene Pretty much alone. Why is it still so difficult to talk about the carbon footprint in professional mountaineering?
An opinion piece from the LACRUX editorial team
For several years, the Spanish alpinist and ultrarunner has been sharing Kilian Jornet He now details his carbon footprint on Instagram. Unsurprisingly, the lion's share in 2025 was again attributable to his travels as a professional mountaineer. Last year, the 38-year-old flew to the USA twice for his projects and climbed, among other things... all 72 four-thousanders in the country. "That makes me part of the problem," he says.
My lifestyle as an athlete is not always sustainable.
Kilian Jornet
This year, Jornet is delving even deeper into his carbon footprint. In his post, he reveals how he plans to offset his footprint outside of his athletic career: through diet, consumption, and investments. He also shares his guilty conscience: "I'm afraid that my children won't be able to experience the mountains the way I did," says Jornet, who became a father for the third time in 2025. With this, he touches on a sensitive issue within professional mountaineering, which is still grappling with the topic of sustainability.
The dilemma between climate and professional mountaineering
With his annual disclosure, Kilian Jornet is one of only a few professional mountaineers to be transparent about his own ecological footprint. He, too, faces the dilemma of all full-time climbers, alpinists, and the like: those who pursue their sport professionally must travel to competitions, climb distant peaks, and ascend the world's most difficult routes. Environmental protection is difficult to reconcile with the carbon footprint of this profession – and also difficult to justify.
When professional mountaineers speak out about the climate crisis, they find themselves in another dilemma. Even well-intentioned statements or tips lose their authenticity when their authors regularly fly halfway around the world. The lively debate surrounding the air travel of "Fridays for Future" activist Luisa Neubauer a few years ago already demonstrated how difficult this contradiction is to bear. At the same time, this keeps the hurdle high for professional climbers and mountaineers to publicly advocate for the issue.
Why the role model function is not a worn-out argument
Of course, professional athletes are neither climate activists, nor is it their job to solve the climate crisis single-handedly. Nevertheless, it has been proven that sporting role models can effectively put this issue on the agenda of their sport as important communicators. This is particularly true in mountaineering, where it seems likely that they are already playing a significant role. in light of melting glaciers There is an above-average awareness of climate issues.
The problem with being a role model, for professionals as for private individuals, usually begins where compromises are made. One could just as easily argue that professional athletes, precisely because of their careers, should be able to afford more in this regard than amateur athletes.
The fact that the climate doesn't care about our arguments and personal feelings is demonstrated by the Global Tipping Points Report for 2025The report warns annually of irreversible changes in the Earth system – last year the first climate-related tipping point was crossed.
Restrictions are coming for all of us.
"If we don't want to give up mountain sports but still want to live in an ecologically sustainable way, we have to reduce our CO2 emissions."2"Reduce our footprint," says the climber and ecologist. Lena MuellerTogether with professional athlete Sofie Paulus, she coined the term »Ecopointing"shaped, which is about low-emission travel to climbing destinations."
Engaging in mountain sports without being aware of the climate crisis and its devastating consequences for our planet is incompatible with the fundamental idea of the sport itself. Unlike in football, we depend on the continued existence of natural ecosystems.
It's understandable that no one likes to restrict themselves when doing what they love most. Nevertheless, some decisions will inevitably happen sooner or later when certain natural areas become unusable for sports. To put it bluntly: changes in mountain sports due to the climate crisis are only a matter of time. If it becomes the norm among professionals to question certain behaviors and consciously act in a more climate-friendly way, perhaps this will also gain more traction in amateur sports. Ultimately, however, we are all called upon to act.
More honesty as an opportunity for change
The sports scientist and mountain guide Max Bolland argued several years ago in the DAV panorama"The core problem in tackling the climate crisis is that it is all too tempting to point the finger at others."
Neither Kilian Jornet nor this report is about pointing fingers. At the same time, Jornet also acknowledges that professional mountaineers are role models and an important voice within the sport. In the long term, their profession depends on the preservation of alpine ecosystems.
Professional mountaineers can and should show more responsibility when it comes to climate protection. Not as perfect, but as authentic role models who consciously address the negative impacts of their profession. And as catalysts for dialogue with sponsors and other organizations that can (and should) do more for genuine sustainability in mountaineering than individuals.
Those who want to lead by example don't have to forgo every single climbing trip. Being open about one's own ecological footprint and looking for better solutions is a good start. As Kilian Jornet writes: "I'm not perfect, but I believe in transparency. When we talk about sustainability in our sport, we have to be honest—about compromises, contradictions, and what we actually do. Anything else is marketing."
Lacrux TV: our program on the topic
We at Lacrux TV have also already addressed this complex topic. our YouTube channel We treated this topic. For this, we worked with professional athletes such as Alex Megos, Sophie Paulus, Siebe Vanhee or Sebastien Berthe The entire program was spoken. You can watch it again here.
What do you think?
Is it the responsibility of mountaineers to consider climate protection in their sport – and do professionals have a special role model function in this regard? Or must everyone ultimately decide for themselves what restrictions they are willing to accept for the sake of the climate?
We look forward to your comments. As always, please remain respectful and constructive.
That might interest you
- Climate protection on the mountain: Four leading mountain schools found the “Climate Rope Team”
- Alpine Club demands better protection: "Glaciers are melting out of measurement program"
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Credits cover photo: Adobe Stock/Standard License, No. 316814543/Ingo Bartussek