Climate Change and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Impact on Trekking and Mountaineering in Nepal

Climate change is a pressing environmental, economic, and political issue that permeates virtually all sectors of the environment and economy. It is observed in Nepal in the form of increased frequency of natural disasters, rise in temperature and change in rainfall patterns, and radically shifting weather change phenomena. Resulting issues impact agriculture, hydropower, infrastructure, and economic stability. This problem is particularly acute in the trekking and mountaineering employment sector that plays a critical role in the economic viability of rural Nepalese communities. The impact of climate change on tourism in the country has been profound. Trekking and mountaineering companies have become increasingly and positively engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies in an attempt to mitigate the potentially catastrophic economic and environmental challenges brought about by climate change. Corporate social responsibility is considered a concept by which companies integrate both social and environmental concerns into their business operations and their interactions with stakeholders on a voluntary basis. This paper will explore the role and strategic import of corporate social responsibility in addressing various aspects of climate change and the resulting threats posed to Nepalese mountaineering businesses