Backcountry Access joins Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps

September 9, 2021

Boulder, Colo.—Backcountry Access has officially signed on as a member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) Climate Action Corps, joining 23 other brands dedicated to working toward becoming climate positive by 2030. As a brand that relies on snow and colder climates, BCA’s pledge to join the Climate Action Corps is a natural next step to actively work to combat climate change on a larger scale.

According to the OIA, “climate positive means to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in line with a science-based target (SBT) that addresses all scopes, to remove even more GHG from the atmosphere than you emit, and to advocate for broader systemic change.” And their goal is to inspire the outdoor industry to become the very first climate-positive industry in the world.

Backcountry Access is committed to making a more sustainable future for both people and the planet. As skiers, snowboarders, sledders, and winter sports enthusiasts, we spend all of our

time in the mountains and are conscious of our environment. We’re moving toward mindful product manufacturing and materials selection and reducing our impact on climate in our day-to-day operations.

For BCA, the goal is to decrease the brand’s carbon footprint through a commitment to prioritizing sustainability in all aspects of our business to achieve the targets of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, an 80% reduction by 2040, and net-zero before 2050. The company’s sustainability mission is to identify, measure and improve sustainability in all areas of our business, from materials selection, production processes, waste reduction, transportation, end-of-use planning, and energy consumption.

Backcountry Access Vice President Bruce Edgerly says about joining the Climate Action Corps, “We’re excited to be doing our part to attack this problem.” He also explains that becoming part of a multi-brand movement is vital in ensuring a lasting impact. “By joining forces with our industry through the Climate Action Corps, we feel like we’re more likely to move the needle,” he notes.

Today, at least 65% of the company’s total packaging is recyclable. By 2025, our goal for total packaging is to be 95% sustainable. The installation of solar photovoltaic panels at our Boulder headquarters building provides over 80% of our net energy usage. Other actions include use of intelligent control systems and energy-saving lighting and devices, recycling manufacturing materials and components, and offsetting carbon emissions caused by our shipping activities.

As for the direct actions BCA plans to take, Edgerly is enthusiastic about the overall good for the planet and supporting suppliers closer to home. “Probably the most exciting prospect is that we’re starting to work with more domestic suppliers,” he explains. “This will have an immediate impact not just on our carbon footprint, but on creating a more sustainable domestic economy.”

About Backcountry Access

Backcountry Access (BCA) is a leading manufacturer of snow safety equipment, including BCA Tracker avalanche transceivers, Float avalanche airbags, BC Link radios, MtnPro snowmobile gear, avalanche probes, and shovels. BCA’s mission is to save lives, not just sell products. BCA considers avalanche education to be as important as its avalanche safety equipment and delivers all its products with consumer education and knowledgeable customer service.