Marking World Environment Day 2026, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and the Cimex BYD Charity Foundation (CBCF) have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem through strengthened collaboration under the “Everest 10 Initiative.”
The partnership focuses on promoting sustainable waste management, clean energy adoption, climate resilience, and long-term environmental conservation in the Everest region, one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive mountain environments. Inspired by BYD’s global environmental vision, “Cool the Earth by 1°C,” CBCF began collaborating with SPCC in 2025 with the aim of developing innovative and sustainable solutions to address the growing environmental challenges facing the Everest and Khumbu regions.
Growing Environmental Pressure on Everest Region
Over the past several decades, increasing mountaineering activities combined with the impacts of climate change have placed immense pressure on the environmental balance of the Everest region. According to various studies, more than 80 tons of waste, including discarded oxygen cylinders, plastics, climbing equipment, and human waste, are still estimated to remain in the high Himalayas.
Experts warn that this accumulation continues to threaten glaciers, water sources, biodiversity, and local communities dependent on the mountain ecosystem. Environmentalists have repeatedly raised concerns about the long-term consequences of unmanaged tourism and expedition waste in the Everest region, emphasizing the need for coordinated conservation efforts and stronger environmental governance.
Major Achievements During Spring Climbing Season 2026
Under the Everest 10 Initiative, SPCC achieved several significant milestones during the 2026 spring climbing season. With support from CBCF, SPCC successfully established the first-ever “Everest Rangers Base” at Camp II. The initiative introduced two dedicated Everest Rangers operating in high-altitude conditions to monitor environmental compliance, supervise waste management activities, raise climber awareness, and provide emergency support services. The Rangers played a crucial role throughout the climbing season by monitoring waste management activities above Everest Base Camp and ensuring climbers complied with environmental regulations.
SPCC stated that special attention was given to enforcing the rule requiring every climber descending from Camp III and Camp IV to carry back at least two kilograms of waste. Officials reported that the monitoring mechanism significantly improved compliance during the expedition season.
Record Number of Climbers and Significant Waste Collection
The 2026 spring mountaineering season recorded one of the highest levels of participation in the history of Everest expeditions. According to SPCC, a total of 701 climbers participated in expeditions to Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse during the season. Despite the record number of climbers, environmental management efforts produced notable results. Through SPCC’s waste monitoring and management system, a total of 1,226 kilograms of burnable waste was collected from Camp III and the South Col area.
In addition, authorities successfully transported 210 empty EPI gas canisters and 1,769 human waste “poop bags” to lower-altitude waste management facilities for proper disposal. At the SPCC checkpoint located at the Khumbu Icefall entrance, an additional 6,522 kilograms of waste was collected from Camp II alone.
The collected materials included:
- 3,533 kilograms of tin and cans
- 827 kilograms of kitchen waste
- 803 kilograms of paper products
- 676 kilograms of plastic waste
- 616 kilograms of tents and fabric materials
- 67 kilograms of ropes
SPCC noted that the successful waste collection campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of enhanced environmental monitoring systems introduced during the season.
Camp II Seasonal Office Established
Another major achievement of the 2026 season was the establishment of SPCC’s first seasonal office at Camp II. The office served as a coordination center for waste management operations, environmental monitoring, and ranger deployment in higher camps. Officials stated that the facility significantly improved operational efficiency and allowed quicker responses to environmental and logistical challenges during the climbing season. SPCC described the initiative as an important step toward institutionalizing sustainable environmental management practices in the Everest region.
Expanding Sustainable Waste Management Infrastructure
Building on the success of this year’s initiatives, SPCC and CBCF have announced plans to further expand sustainable waste management infrastructure across the Everest region in the coming years.
Future plans include:
- Conducting environmental orientation programs for climbers
- Expanding human waste management systems
- Establishing dedicated waste collection centers at higher camps
- Increasing the use of drone technology for waste transportation
The organizations believe that combining technology, education, and stricter environmental enforcement will help create a cleaner and more sustainable climbing environment on Mount Everest.
Drone Technology Shows Promising Results
The partnership also continues the collaboration initiated in 2025 with Airlift Technologies, aimed at introducing drone-assisted waste transportation in high-altitude areas. During the pilot phase, drones successfully transported 283 kilograms of waste from Camp I, demonstrating the feasibility of technology-driven waste management solutions in remote Himalayan terrain.
SPCC stated that the success of the trial highlighted the potential of drone technology to reduce risks for porters and improve the efficiency of waste collection operations in difficult mountain environments. Experts believe such innovations could transform high-altitude environmental management in the future.
Promoting Clean Energy in Everest Base Camp
As part of efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions, CBCF also supported the installation of a 5 KVA solar power system at Everest Base Camp. The clean energy system provides reliable electricity in the remote mountain region while reducing dependence on traditional fuel sources that contribute to pollution and environmental degradation. Officials noted that renewable energy infrastructure is essential for supporting environmentally responsible tourism and expedition management in the Himalayas.
Three-Phase Implementation Plan for Everest 10 Initiative
The Everest 10 Initiative is planned to be implemented in three phases between 2026 and 2028.
The first phase in 2026 focuses on:
- Developing an environmental charter
- Financial planning
- Stakeholder consultations
- Training materials development
- Deployment of two Everest Rangers
- Production of environmental orientation videos
- Initial drone operations
The second phase in 2027 will include:
- Full implementation of the environmental charter
- Environmental management training programs
- Deployment of six Everest Rangers
- Construction of a waste collection center at Camp IV
- Operation of two waste-management drones
- Expansion of 140 human waste management devices
- Mobilization of yak transport teams
The third and final phase in 2028 aims to ensure long-term sustainability through:
- Continued ranger operations
- Additional training programs
- Full-scale infrastructure operation
- Expansion to 200 human waste management devices
- Transition to a self-sustaining financial model based on climber fees
Organizations Driving Environmental Change
Established in 1991, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) is a non-profit organization led by the Sherpa community. The organization has long been involved in environmental protection, waste management, climber safety, and sustainable development activities within the Everest region and Sagarmatha National Park.
Meanwhile, the Cimex BYD Charity Foundation (CBCF), established in 2024 as a joint initiative of Cimex Inc. Pvt. Ltd. and BYD, focuses on education, healthcare, environmental conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable community development. Both organizations stated that their partnership represents a long-term commitment to preserving the Everest ecosystem for future generations while promoting responsible and sustainable mountain tourism.
As environmental concerns continue to grow globally, the collaboration between SPCC and CBCF is increasingly being viewed as a model for how public, private, and community-led partnerships can work together to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable natural environments.
