January 26, 2022 Snowsports Industry Gets Powerful Climate Toolbox
Snowsports Industries America (SIA) unveils new ClimateUnited Lab, a free online tool for SIA members to build and execute climate action plans.
As part of their ongoing climate initiative, Snowsports Industries America (SIA) has launched the ClimateUnited Lab, an online resource that provides the framework, tools, resources and guidance for every company – large or small – to build their climate strategy. The ClimateUnited Lab is accessible to every SIA member, free with their annual membership.
Climate change is the apex issue facing the winter outdoor industry. The winter season has already shortened by 34 days since 1982, and the last eight years have been the warmest on record (NASA). Meanwhile, consumers are demanding action – 41% of Americans say that, over the next 12 months, they intend to reward companies that are taking steps to reduce global warming more frequently than they do now. For these reasons, SIA has made addressing climate change within the winter outdoor industry one of its core priorities.
Implementing meaningful climate action
SIA-member businesses that want guidance building and executing a meaningful climate action plan can now access the ClimateUnited Lab. The Lab is built on a collaborative sharing platform that enables industry colleagues to work with each other – sharing ideas and best practices, solving tough challenges and mentoring others. With this opportunity to interact directly with peers, SIA hopes to unite the community and accelerate our industry’s collective progress.
Key elements of SIA’s ClimateUnited Lab include, for example, the ClimateUnited Academy, a library of masterclass-style videos featuring short conversations with outdoor industry peers who are leading the way on various aspects of climate action. The 1.5C Business Playbook meanwhile, developed by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, provides a focused yet flexible roadmap with action steps and key reduction measures. The ClimateUnited Lab is furthermore full of vital resources and tools, advocacy opportunities, vetted consultants and nonprofit partners, essential reading, and a calendar of peer-led workshops each month to help businesses tackle the action items in the 1.5C Business Playbook.
A call for industry-wide collaboration
“It is time that our industry comes together to address climate change and takes real and urgent action,” said SIA’s president, Nick Sargent.
“The ClimateUnited Lab is the platform that fosters progress and industry-wide collaboration, and we appreciate all the industry leaders who came together to lend their expertise and insights to this project. We are excited to be providing this valuable tool to our members.”
SIA’s climate initiative began last year with the ClimateUnited Pact, which unites the industry and aligns businesses on a set of achievable principles. Every business is invited to join the ClimateUnited Pact. To date, 53 businesses have joined, signifying their leadership and a commitment to tackling climate change at the speed and scale it demands. The ClimateUnited Lab is free to SIA members.
About Snowsports Industries America (SIA)
Founded in 1954 and based in Park City, UT, Snowsports Industries America (SIA) is a nonprofit, member-owned trade association representing the winter outdoor community including suppliers, retailers, sales reps, resorts and nonprofits whose mission is to help the winter outdoor community thrive. SIA provides value to its members through continuous education, insightful research, creating a path for an inclusive winter outdoor community, growing participation in winter outdoor sports and developing consumer events (Snowbound Festivals) that drive business, while advocating for pressing issues that face the winter outdoor industry such as climate change and tariffs. We are #UnitedByWinter.
For more details on SIA’s climate initiatives, visit snowsports.org/climateunited/
For more information and to become a member, visit snowsports.org
Photo: Flo Maderebner from Pexels
