Our commitment
The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships 2025 in Valais were not only a celebration of sport but also an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Together with the 8 host destinations, we co-developed a sustainability charter built around three key pillars:
- Environment & climate
- Cohesion & inclusion
- Territorial economy
This charter aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Valais 2030 Agenda.
Some of the first key actions
Together with our eight host destinations and partners, we implemented a wide range of initiatives to leave a positive legacy: cleaner sites, engaged youth, and a strengthened local economy.
Here are some of the flagship initiatives that gave true meaning to this commitment.
Environment & Climate
- Leaving no trace after each competition: a shared goal among all host destinations.
- Going a step further with clean-up actions: 4 destinations organised clean-ups in partnership with Kärcher, Summit Foundation and bloomUp. Results :
- 60 volunteers involved
- 169.1 kg of waste collected
- 742 PET bottles and 265 aluminum cans recycled
→ The sites were left cleaner than before the events.
- Prioritising renewable energy: all destinations used 100% renewable electricity from the local grid, while 3 tested an innovative battery system developed by emost and supported by the Swiss Olympic Climate Fund, replacing traditional diesel generators.
- Drastically reducing single-use plastics: 6 destinations used reusable tableware and 2 opted for biodegradable alternatives.
- Promoting sustainable mobility: a comprehensive mobility plan encouraged the use of public transport and cycling, while ensuring accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
- Supporting volunteer engagement: 100% of volunteer travel by public transport was fully covered.
Cohesion & Inclusion
- Making sport accessible to all: 75% of competitions were free and open to the public.
- Engaging young people: 3,000 schoolchildren took part in cycling-related sports activities.
- Promoting active participation: the unique ‘Ride to the Champs’ activation in Champéry and Crans-Montana encouraged spectators to become actors by joining the event on their bikes, an experience combining sporting passion and sustainable mobility.
Territorial Economy
- Showcasing the local economy: Valais-produced goods were sourced whenever possible, and regional sports clubs were actively involved at the heart of the event’s organisation and spirit.
What's next?
Our commitment doesn’t stop here:
- Debriefing with the 8 destinations to share best practices, identify areas for improvement, and ensure a lasting legacy for future events.
- Publishing the final Sustainability & Legacy Report, including key performance indicators (end of November 2025).
- Releasing the Economic Impact Report, developed in collaboration with E&Y and the UCI, analysing the championships’ contribution to Valais and Switzerland as a whole (end of November 2025).
