Black Diamond Publishes Annual Impact Report, Setting Bold Sustainability Goals for 2030

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — [7/16/2025] — Black Diamond Equipment, a global leader in mountain sports gear and innovation, has released its 2024 Annual Impact Report, a comprehensive look at the company’s ongoing work and future plans across sustainability, advocacy, and inclusion.

For decades, Black Diamond has championed environmental conservation, equitable access to the outdoors, and responsible manufacturing—not just as isolated initiatives, but as expressions of the brand’s core values of sustainability, community, and advocacy. These commitments reflect Black Diamond’s broader purpose to make a difference on matters of great importance to the mountain sports community they serve.

Black Diamond’s Impact Report lays out both progress to date and ambitious goals for 2030.  “This report is about more than metrics,” says Jess Powell, Advocacy and Sustainability Manager at Black Diamond. “It’s about stepping forward with clarity and intention. We’ve been doing the work for years, from climate action to land stewardship to building a more inclusive outdoor community. Now we’re committing to sharing that work more openly, holding ourselves accountable, and inviting others to help us along the way.” 

Sustainability: Cutting Carbon, Simplifying Systems, and Extending Gear Life

The centerpiece of the report is Black Diamond’s detailed sustainability strategy, which aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement and targets a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, measured against a verified 2021 baseline. Key initiatives include:

• Reducing emissions at the source by partnering with best-in-class factories that prioritize solar energy, water conservation, and recycled materials.
• Designing for longevity and circularity with innovative end-of-life recycling programs, an expanded repair ecosystem, and the industry’s first independently certified aluminum recycling program. 
• Streamlining product lines to reduce waste with a 31% reduction in SKUs from Spring 2023 to Spring 2026.
• Targeting 100% renewable energy at headquarters by 2028 and incentivizing employees to bike or bus to work beginning in 2026.

This framework continues to drive the company’s current initiatives, including the recent launch of its Reroute product repair program for 2025.

Advocacy: Protecting Public Lands and Access to Climbing

Black Diamond’s legacy of outdoor advocacy continues in full force. Highlights from efforts in 2024 include:

●      Victory on the PARC Act: Black Diamond rallied climbers and lawmakers to support the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, which safeguards fixed anchors in Wilderness areas.

●      Local land-use activism: Black Diamond spoke out in opposition to the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola, advocating for less intrusive transportation solutions and protecting access to iconic climbing zones near its Salt Lake City HQ.

●      Long-term partnerships: Black Diamond has contributed over $1 million in donations to the Access Fund since 1991, in addition to ongoing collaboration with The Conservation Alliance and other local nonprofits.

Inclusion: Lowering Barriers to Entry

Recognizing that access to outdoor spaces isn’t equal for all, Black Diamond also deepened its commitment to promoting inclusivity in the outdoors. Key programs in 2024 included:

●      Sponsored 55+ BIPOC guides through AMGA programs since 2020, including tuition and gear packages.

●      Supported over 170 individuals through Climbing For Change grants for gym-to-crag transitions, youth programs, and BIPOC climbing events.

●      Expanded employee training and inclusion committees with mandatory biannual sessions starting in 2025.

●      Contributed gear and funding donations to grassroots organizations like Ascend Athletics, Color the Wasatch, Queer Climbers of Salt Lake, and others.

These programs informed the creation of the Elevate Scholarship in partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)—a full-ride, travel and gear inclusive, need-based scholarship providing a pathway to wilderness education and leadership—as a key component of Black Diamond’s 2025 inclusion efforts. 

Looking Ahead: Accountability, Transparency, and the Climb to 2030

Company President Neil Fiske emphasized the importance of measurement, transparency, and accountability as the company reports progress against its goal. “While we’re pleased with our progress, we know we have a long climb ahead to our 2030 objectives. We are committed to sharing our progress and challenges along the way—openly, honestly, and in accordance with science-based and data driven methods.”

The full 2024 Annual Impact Report is available to read and download at: blackdiamondequipment.com/blogs/news/impact-report. 

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.