Climbing Towards Net Zero

At The Climbing Academy (TCA), sustainability isn’t just a side project – it’s a long-term commitment backed by science, data, and meaningful action. As outlined in our second annual TCA Sustainability Report, we’re refining how we measure our impact and focusing on what really matters: cutting emissions in real terms and working toward net zero.

A Clear Path, Informed by Data

Since 2021, we’ve been working with Positive Planet to assess and track our carbon footprint. Rather than chasing feel-good wins, we’re zeroing in on what we can control – like electricity usage, staff travel, and supplier engagement – and building from there.

Our emissions per site and per 1,000 visits continue to fall – a sign that we’re operating more efficiently even as our centres grow busier.

What We’ve Done So Far

In the past year, we’ve made real strides:

• Switched entirely to sustainable electricity tariffs, eliminating the last 3% on standard contracts.
• Expanded low-carbon commuting options, with six bikes and one electric car supported through our work schemes.
• Trialed innovative products, like fully circular climbing holds from Greenholds and recyclable nylon holds from Ghold.
• Launched a supplier database to improve Scope 3 reporting and strengthen transparency across our supply chain.

And on the international stage, our CEO is representing the UK climbing sector in a new European sustainability group, ensuring climbing walls across borders work together to push the industry forward.

Where We’re Headed

Our goal is ambitious but necessary: a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative. We’re confident that improvements in supplier data, a growing culture of climate responsibility and collective action within the climbing industry will keep us on track.

One particularly inspiring insight from our customers: 52% of visitors to The Mothership already use sustainable travel methods, like public transport, walking or cycling. As customer travel remains one of the biggest areas of impact we don’t yet fully measure, every step in the right direction matters.

Read 2024 Sustainability Report

If you have any questions, comments, ideas or feedback you can submit them via our community form. Read our 2023 Sustainability Report.

Final Thoughts

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s more to do. Transparency, innovation, and collaboration remain our guiding principles as we climb toward net zero – one solid hold at a time.