Carbon contribution
As excitement builds for the opening of registrations for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2025—starting tomorrow with charity bibs—we want to share our vision and actions for making this event even more environmentally respectful.
Join us in this journey to protect the places we hold dear and build a more sustainable future for trail running. Together, we can make a difference.
Carbon contribution aims to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by your travel to the event. It funds certified projects that:
- Sequester carbon, through initiatives like reforestation or sustainable forest management.
- Prevent new emissions, such as renewable energy development projects.
HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc collaborates with EcoAct, selecting projects based on strict criteria. Some of these initiatives have local impact across the Mont-Blanc region, helping to preserve our natural playground.
The €25/ton rate reflects the average cost of selected projects, ensuring their certification and tangible impact. This amount was established in consultation with EcoAct to balance ecological relevance, financial accessibility, and the assurance that certain projects will have a direct, local effect in the Mont-Blanc area.
As a comparison:
- The average price for certified projects on the voluntary market ranges from €5 to €60 per ton.
- Our projects often include a strong local component, enhancing their relevance but slightly increasing the cost.
During registration, you provide:
- Your departure and arrival locations.
- Your planned mode of transport (train, car, plane, etc.).
An integrated calculator uses this information to estimate your emissions based on recognized emission factors. Your contribution is calculated and added to your registration fee.
Examples of emissions and contributions:
- Annecy → Chamonix by train: €0.05
- Paris → Chamonix by train: €0.20, by car: €7
- New York → Chamonix by plane: €50
- Sydney → Chamonix by plane: €120
We encourage you to select the most likely option during registration. If your plans change, you can contact us to update your data before the event.
Note: We strongly encourage low-carbon public transport options, especially trains, which remain the most eco-friendly.
No, the carbon contribution applies to your trip from home to Chamonix and back. On-site travel is covered by the UTMB Mobility system (shared buses). The organization directly offsets emissions generated by these buses. In 2024, 60% of participants and their support crews used this system; our goal is to reach 90% by 2026.
Yes, 100% of the funds collected are transferred to EcoAct to finance certified projects. We receive certificates guaranteeing the impact of the supported initiatives, and an annual report will be published to ensure full transparency.
All projects outside of France are:
- Certified by recognized standards like Gold Standard or VCS (Verified Carbon Standard).
- Labeled LBC (Label Bas Carbone) for projects in France.
- Carefully selected by our partners for their measurable impact and connection to local issues, particularly in the Mont-Blanc region.
We prioritize initiatives that provide additional benefits, such as biodiversity protection, local development, and education.
Since its inception, the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc has implemented the following measures to reduce emissions:
- A collective transport plan in place since 2004.
- Elimination of single-use plastics at refreshment points.
- Offsetting annual energy consumption emissions since 2023.
By 2025, the organization will also offset:
- Travel by teams, volunteers and guests.
- Emissions linked to event logistics.
Given the climate crisis, we felt it was essential to act now. This initiative builds on years of preparation, including a carbon assessment conducted by WWF in 2019 (as part of our partnership) and our commitment to the 15 Eco-Responsible Commitments for Event Organizers.
Making the contribution voluntary invites runners to join this movement willingly. It’s a first step toward evolving practices while building a long-term strategy aligned with the UTMB World Series circuit.
2025 will serve as a test year, and feedback from participants will be crucial to improving the system for 2026 and beyond.
