Born in March 1984, Dawa Steven had climbed four 8000m peaks by 2008 (age 24), including Mt. Everest twice. He graduated from Heriot-Watt University Scotland with an Honours Degree in Business Administration. Dawa Steven's father is Sherpa, and his mother Belgian. Dawa Steven speaks five languages. Dutch, Nepali, English, Hindi and German.

Dawa Steven has followed his parent's footsteps to work in the adventure trekking and mountaineering expeditions industry. Since the climbing season of 2007 he has shown his entrepreneurial skills by establishing and running the world's highest bakery at Everest base camp (5330m). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7387335.stm

In the spring of 2008, Dawa Steven organized the successful Eco Everest Expedition to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayas and to field test eco-friendly approaches to running a major mountaineering expedition.

 

His efforts in the field of environment have been recognized by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation Canada, the International Mountaineering & Climbing Federation (UIAA), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

1. WWF International felicitated Dawa with “Leaders for a Living Planet” Award, the highest honour given to an individual by WWF, for his dynamic leadership and personal drive in helping people throughout the world to realise the perils faced by the people of the Himalayas as a result of climate change. Dawa Steven Sherpa is also a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate Ambassador.

2. The International Olympic Committee presented him the “International Olympic Committee Award for Sports and Environment” for his contributions in the field of environment. The prize is meant to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of individuals for their efforts to introduce good environmental practices into a sport of their choice.  The award recognizes outstanding projects in the field of sustainable sport and the environment.  The IOC believes that the work done by Dawa Steven Sherpa, before, during and after his Eco Everest Expeditions is worth international recognition.

3. The IUCN, World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the International Rangers Federation (IRF) selected Dawa Steven Sherpa as one of the Top Five Young Conservationists in the world for 2008.

4. The UIAA has presented him with the Award for Contributions to UIAA for efforts to promote conservation ethics in the mountains and to draw international attention to climate change and its effects in the Khumbu and other mountain communities.

5. Dawa Steven has also been awarded with the prestigious Special Achievement Award from the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation for his double summit of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m) and for his Environmental initiatives in 2008 Spring.

 

Professional Experiences:        

 

 Managing Director, Asian Trekking (P) Ltd. from 16 July 2007 till present.

 Chief Coordinator, iDEAS November 2008 till present.

 Eco Everest Expedition 2009 (Spring) (www.ecoeverest.net.np)

   Organiser and Leader:

Organized Eco Everest Expedition 2009, based on the eco friendly model for mountaineering developed during the Eco Everest Expedition 2008.

Collected and brought down nearly 6000 kilograms of garbage and debris from Mt. Everest from previous expeditions and properly disposed of. All human waste (approx. 80 Kilos) generated by the Eco Everest Expedition Team was brought down to base camp and disposed of properly.

Eco Everest Expedition 2008 (Spring) (www.ecoeverest.net.np)

  Organizer and Leader:

Reached the summit of Mt. Everest (second ascent) on the 26th of May 2008 and the summit of the 8513m Mt. Lhotse on 21 May 2008.

The main objective of the expedition was to draw international attention to the high risk to lives and property of residents in the Khumbu region due to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. Focus was on creating awareness amongst local Sherpas.

Negotiated partnership with ICIMOD and UNEP to use their research data and expertise to create greater awareness. During Eco Everest 2008 the Bakery concept was used by ICIMOD to set up the 50 Years of Change - Glaciers, Landscapes, People and Resilience in the Mount Everest Region, Nepal photo exhibition.   The photo exhibition was taken on a world tour after the expedition.

Researched and initiated eco-sensitive methods for field testing under extreme conditions and at high altitudes for practical adoption by mountaineering expeditions. Created incentives for high altitude Sherpas to collect and bring down garbage from above base camp.

965 Kilos of garbage collected from previous expeditions and properly disposed of. Also successfully field tested the use of Clean Mountain Cans, RESTOP bags, SteriPens (UV water purifier) and Parabolic Solar Cooker for cooking and boiling water. All human waste (approx. 75 Kilos) generated by the Eco Everest Expedition Team was brought down to base camp and disposed of properly.

 •  Dream Everest Expedition 2007 (Spring)

Climbing Coordinator.  Reached summit of Mt. Everest on 21st of May 2007.
Established the first Everest Base Camp Bakery at an altitude of 5330m. Success of this first venture prompted me to use similar facilities in 2008 to educate other climbers, Sherpas and local porters on the effects of Global warming.  The bakery at Everest Base Camp provided free toilet amenities to all visitors. No bottled or packaged food items were sold. All items were prepared and baked on the spot.

 •  Dream Cho Oyu Expedition 2006 (Tibet)

Climbing Coordinator.  Reached summit of the 8201m Mt Cho Oyu on 9 October 2006.

Training:
- Nepal Mountaineering Association Advanced Mountaineering Training (2006-2007)
- Nepal Mountaineering Association Basic Mountaineering Training (2003)

Memberships:
- Mountain Protected Areas Network, International Mountaineering & Climbing Federation (UIAA).
- Nepal Mountaineering Association
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – WCPA (World Commission on Protected Areas
- Member, Climate Change Council to the Prime Minister, Government of Nepal