Renowned alpine ski legend joins global push to protect mountain ecosystems from plastic and chemical pollution.
Geneva, Switzerland, 6 May 2025 — The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions is proud to announce German World Cup alpine ski legend and environmental advocate Felix Neureuther as the new BRS conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers. A lifelong environmental advocate, Felix Neureuther brings his passion for alpine conservation to the global stage, raising awareness about the threats of plastic and chemical pollution in mountain and glacier ecosystems.
With a career that includes three Winter Olympics, eight World Championships, and multiple medals, Felix Neureuther is also a vocal campaigner for climate action and sustainable development in the Alps. Since retiring in 2019, he has worked closely with scientists and environmental experts using cutting-edge technology to monitor the impact of climate change in high-altitude regions. His mission to protect the mountains and glaciers ecosystems aligns closely with the goals of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and waste.
Plastic is the most common type of pollution found in remote and mountainous areas. The rapid increase in plastic pollution in these regions is driven, to a large extent, by tourism. Adding to the burden, microplastics which travel long distances often end up in remote and mountainous areas from the Arctic to the Alps, and from the Rockies to Mount Everest. Plastic pollution may also contain hazardous chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Likewise, some outdoor waterproof clothing and equipment may contain POPs.
As a BRS conventions Advocate, Felix Neureuther will champion the importance of pollution prevention in fragile ecosystems, support clean-up efforts, and engage youth and communities to act for a healthier planet. This advocacy is especially timely as the world seeks stronger commitments to end plastic pollution, manage chemicals in an environmentally sound manner, and address environmental crises exacerbated by unsustainable consumption and production patterns. Felix Neureuther's voice will play a pivotal role in connecting science, policy, and public action under the BRS conventions framework.
“The mountains have given me everything—my passion, my purpose, and my podium. Now it’s time to give back by protecting them from the invisible threat of pollution. Becoming the Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions feels like a natural fit, and I’m proud to help raise awareness for this critical cause.”
Felix Neureuther, BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, is the most comprehensive international environment treaty on hazardous and other wastes and is almost universal, with 191 Parties. With an overarching objective of protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, its scope covers a wide range of waste subject to transboundary movements defined as hazardous based on their origin and/or composition and characteristics, as well as four types of waste defined as “other wastes”, namely household waste, residues arising from the incineration of household wastes ash, certain plastic wastes and certain electronic and electrical wastes requiring special consideration.
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004, is jointly administered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Environment (UNEP). The 167 Parties to this legally binding Convention share responsibility and cooperate to safely manage chemicals in international trade. The Convention does not introduce bans but facilitates the exchange of information among Parties on hazardous chemicals and pesticides, to inform and improve national decision making. In addition, through the PIC Procedure, it provides a legally binding mechanism to support national decision-making on the import and export of certain chemicals and pesticides and disseminates decisions to Parties.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its 186 Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, or BRS Secretariat, supports Parties implement these three leading multilateral environment agreements governing sound chemicals and waste management, according to the mandates in each Convention and as decided by the governing bodies.
For media enquiries, contact:
Maria Cristina Cardenas-Fischer, Head of Unit and Senior Policy Advisor, Policy and Strategy Unit, Executive Office, BRS Secretariat, maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org