CSR: EP Climbing Moves the Lines
As a French leader in climbing wall construction and climbing hold manufacturing, EP Climbing continues to advance its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. Beyond gradually implementing impactful actions, the company aims to be a driving force in creating synergy with other players in the climbing world while minimizing environmental impact. A spotlight on a responsible and beneficial approach.
For several years, EP Climbing, a manufacturer based in the Savoie region, has been on a CSR path. As a reminder, Corporate Social Responsibility is a company’s contribution to sustainable development. A company embracing this process seeks to respect the environment and make a positive impact on the economic fabric it operates within—and society as a whole—while remaining economically viable.
It’s a delicate balance that goes beyond greenwashing and must be co-constructed with clients, suppliers, collaborators, and local stakeholders. Implementing this kind of industrial ecology strategy means voluntarily integrating social and environmental responsibility beyond legal requirements by putting best practices in place.
CSR: Acting for Tomorrow
Already committed to ethical business practices, EP Climbing (250 employees, €14.3 million turnover in 2023) has pursued CSR in several ways. First, the company joined the Climate Enterprise Convention and, in 2023, the Circular Economy Cluster of Coeur de Savoie (PECCS), co-led by Cluster Montagne, Alpes Consigne, and the Chamber of Commerce.
EP Climbing has also worked to obtain ISO14001 and ISO9001 certifications, demonstrating its ability to manage and continuously reduce its environmental impact—for instance, by optimizing electricity consumption, reducing production waste, and using VOC-free (potentially toxic volatile compounds) paints.
The company has also teamed up with eco-responsible partners like Greenholds and Ghold, recyclable hold manufacturers, as well as Eco Climb In for hold, macro, and volume retexturing. The overarching goal is to engage the industry—route setters, gym owners, and climbing chains—in reflecting on the ecological impact of their activities and asking the right questions.
CSR: A Green Manufacturer for a Controlled Carbon Footprint
According to EP Climbing, “Choosing a manufacturer with green solutions is not just a trend. It’s a commitment to the planet.” Several levers can be activated: encouraging the use of wooden structures from responsible forests instead of steel frames; questioning the ratio of PE vs. PU holds in a project; evaluating product durability—both holds and mats; and choosing French-made components to reduce emissions.
“Do you know your climbing gym’s carbon footprint?” That’s the question EP Climbing wants more project owners, manufacturers, route setters, and even climbers to start asking. But often, even when the will is there, the climbing industry lacks the tools to understand its environmental impact.
In response, EP developed a carbon calculator to help the industry measure and reduce its footprint. More than just a tool, this calculator aims to make sustainable development accessible, understandable, and actionable for the entire climbing community. It can be used during project planning to guide decisions and assess environmental and budgetary impacts.
A Carbon Calculator
How does it work? The carbon calculator is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the gold standard for measuring environmental impact. In line with its CSR strategy, EP Climbing first applied LCA to its own product, the Titan (see full article here). The same analysis was then used for a school gym wall.
The carbon calculator developed by EP Climbing assesses the complete life cycle of a product—from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. It calculates the carbon footprint of every component of a climbing wall, including:
- Structure: wood vs. steel framing, panel thickness, transportation logistics.
- Holds: PE vs. PU, production methods, and durability.
- Safety mats: lifespan, replacement cycles, raw materials.
- Maintenance and installation: emissions from transport and assembly.
It’s an interactive decision-making tool. During project planning, key data about the wall, such as size, location, materials, and lifespan, are entered. The tool automatically calculates the total carbon footprint and allows the exploration of different scenarios:
- Switching from PU to PE holds: how much does that reduce emissions?
- Using 18mm vs. 21mm panels: what are the material and carbon savings?
- Investing in longer-lasting mats: how much waste and emissions are avoided?
- …
CSR: Turning Data into Action
At La Fabrique Verticale, we believe this carbon calculator can help the climbing industry in multiple ways:
For climbing gyms:
- Identify high-impact areas in design
- Choose materials/products that align with sustainability goals
- Share carbon footprints with climbers to demonstrate environmental commitment
- Engage climbers in sustainability challenges, like using recycled holds
For route setters:
- Choose durable, low-carbon holds
- Extend hold lifespan through retexturing or recycling
- Use the calculator to measure impact in setting choices (e.g. French-made vs. imported holds)
And climbers:
- Learn about the carbon footprint of holds, mats, and walls
- Become aware of the environmental impact of climbing and strive to reduce it
In Summary
EP Climbing’s carbon calculator is part of a larger effort to raise awareness and inspire change across the climbing world. It’s a powerful decision-making tool to reduce emissions, improve wall-building processes, and enhance the climber experience.
Of course, there’s often a lag between talk and action. But change is underway, and it’s heading in the right direction. Hopefully, we’ll see walls in the future that not only challenge climbers—but challenge how we think about sustainability. For that, EP Climbing’s CSR involvement deserves recognition.
