Natural landscapes—particularly mountainous regions—are invaluable ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and human well-being. These areas supply between 60% and 80% of the world’s freshwater, host approximately 25% of all terrestrial biodiversity, and account for nearly one-third of the Earth’s forests. Yet, as modern lifestyles increasingly drive people towards nature-based recreation, these fragile environments are coming under mounting pressure.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, with more people flocking to mountain areas in search of outdoor activities like ski mountaineering and hiking. While this surge has positive effects on public health and promotes active lifestyles, it also highlights a significant gap: many new participants lack basic knowledge of responsible behavior in natural settings. Unprepared visitors are inadvertently contributing to habitat degradation, waste generation, and disturbances to local wildlife, while mountain rescue services are increasingly mobilized to respond to preventable emergencies caused by poor preparation.

Despite international commitments such as the Kathmandu Declaration (1982) and the Mountain Ethics Declaration (2001), environmental awareness remains insufficiently embedded in outdoor sports culture. In partner countries like Croatia, Serbia, and Greece, environmental sustainability is often missing from national sports strategies, leaving ski mountaineering and other mountain activities without a structured approach to ecological responsibility.

At the same time, the European Union’s Green Deal and its Work Plan for Sport (2021-2024) emphasize the “environmental dimension of sport,” calling for action to integrate climate goals into the sports sector. The Green Slopes project answers this call by directly addressing the environmental risks associated with the growing popularity of mountain sports, while promoting health, well-being, and sustainable outdoor recreation.