HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc commits to reduce its emissions by 20% by 2030 - Focus on the sustainable mobility plan
Fabrice Perrin, Sports & Sustainability director, UTMB Group
Since 2003, UTMB Group has been working to organise events that bring people together and connect them to nature, and is more convinced than ever of the power of sport and human relationships. Today, this mission cannot be achieved without a profound transformation in the way we travel: to continue running together, we need to travel better, in other words, travel more sparingly, more locally, more consciously.
On June 11, HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc presented an ambitious action plan to encourage sustainable mobility. This travel policy deployed at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc is in line with the philosophy at the heart of the UTMB World Series circuit, which offers 52 events and is expanding to bring the UTMB experience to runners close to home.
Fabrice Perrin talks about the implementation of this sustainable mobility plan, and calls for a global environmental awareness across the sport, which has become essential.
Could you summarise your new environmental commitments?
Fabrice Perrin : « We have pledged to cut the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc carbon footprint by 20% before 2030, guided by a strategy aligned with the Paris Agreement. Our ambitious plan rests on four pillars: commit, measure, reduce and contribute. The goal is to offer practical, collective and credible solutions without shifting all responsibility onto individuals. In essence, we want to lead the way towards the trail running of tomorrow. »
The impact of runner transport is clear. But what does genuine cultural change look like in a global sport like trail running?
« Our priority is to build collective momentum and transform habits. Trail running has always been about a deep connection with nature. Yet this passion sometimes means we travel the world to run in the mountains, putting these precious landscapes at risk. Real cultural change happens when organisers, runners and brands start asking: can I run closer to home? How can I explore new places without harming them? This isn’t about imposing strict rules, but about inspiring a clear-sighted, positive shift. This movement, which is within our reach, aims to encourage a new way of enjoying trail running, where performance, adventure, and care for the planet go hand in hand. »
Responsibility comes up often. How do we balance this with welcoming runners from around the world?
« It’s a real challenge. The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc is an international event, and we believe in continuing to unite people, building bridges rather than walls. Welcoming the world is not at odds with making informed choices. Taking part in the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc should be exceptional, not routine. We want every participant, wherever they travel from, to be supported in doing so in the cleanest way possible. That’s the goal of UTMB Go: to help everyone find lower-impact travel options. That’s also why we’ve introduced a lottery advantage to reward those who choose lower-carbon options. As a visible and established leader in trail running, we have a duty to set an example. That’s why we trial solutions here that we can later share across the UTMB World Series. Leadership isn’t just about bringing people together – it’s about showing that another way is possible and taking action to make it a reality. »
You focus on collective work. Why is this so important?
« Because it’s in the DNA of how these events have been built, and it’s essential for collective momentum. The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc and the UTMB World Series have always grown in partnership with local communities, volunteers, partners, associations and athletes. Nothing happens in isolation. In a sport growing by over 12% every year, if we don’t take the time to collectively imagine a sustainable future, we risk imbalance. This plan is the result of extensive consultation — with Protect Our Winters, the Pro Trail Running Association (PTRA), local authorities — and from a belief: change isn’t just necessary, it’s an opportunity to build a fairer, more inspiring, and more sustainable approach. »
Transport-related emissions are central to this challenge. Yet the UTMB World Series continues to expand, which some argue drives more travel. How do you respond to this kind of criticism?
« It’s a fair question and gets to the heart of the matter. What’s important to understand is that the UTMB World Series is growing with exactly the opposite aim: to bring the UTMB experience closer to runners, not to push them to travel across the globe. That is the essence of the project. Today our events are strategically positioned across continents. Our ambition is to offer experiences that reach the world’s largest trail communities. In the United States, for example – a vast country – most participants travel fewer than 300 miles to race, which is considered very local given the scale of the territory. This regional approach helps reduce long-distance travel, particularly flights, and encourages local participation. In 2024, 91% of participants raced on their continent, 58% within their own country, and 77% when including neighbouring countries. Beyond this regional approach, every event already includes environmental commitments as part of its core requirements. This is the foundation we share. Looking ahead we aim to go further: to create a clearer, collective framework to strengthen and align these commitments worldwide. »
