BRITTECO and LVFuel:
Championing Environmental Responsibility, Latvian and World Mountaineering
At BRITTECO and our sister company LVFuel, our commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond our business operations into our deep connection with nature and support for those who champion its preservation and exploration. Our companies have always maintained a close interest in mountaineering – not just as a sport, but as a philosophy that aligns with our core values of respect for nature, persistence, and sustainable practices.
Our Environmental Ethos
As fuel service providers, we understand the critical importance of environmental stewardship. We’ve implemented a zero-waste approach to the disposal and recycling of used fuel tanks, transforming what would be waste into reusable resources. This commitment to sustainability extends across all our business processes – from our supply chain management to our day-to-day operations and customer service.
Our environmental awareness isn’t merely a business strategy; it’s a philosophy that guides everything we do. Just as mountaineers follow the principle of “leave no trace,” we ensure our business activities minimize environmental impact while maximizing efficiency and service quality.
Supporting World Mountaineering Expeditions
Our environmental values naturally extend to our support for global and Latvian mountaineering. Recently, we joined an expedition to Mount Everest organized by Nepalese leader Chengha Tsering Sherpa, whose mission was to spread a message of peace by carrying a statue of Guru Rinpoche to Everest’s summit. For us, this expedition represented an opportunity to connect with nature and test our limits while supporting Sherpa’s noble environmental and spiritual goals.
Inspired by Latvian mountaineers Andris Balodis and Juris Ulmanis, our team reached Everest Base Camp in mid-May. We witnessed firsthand as Balodis became the 10th Latvian to stand atop the 29,035-foot pinnacle on May 17, with Ulmanis following as the 11th on May 29, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s pioneering ascent.
For our team, the true rewards came not from records but from communing with the power and beauty of the Himalayas. Spending weeks above 13,000 feet, we developed a profound appreciation for these mountains and the people who call them home. Witnessing Sherpa’s mission firsthand gave us new perspective on environmental activism.
As Ulmanis described, escaping the illusions of daily life brought deeper meaning: “We live in a state of dreams, money, scandal, war – illusions. But in the mountains, you understand it’s all illusion.” The tranquility of Nepal showed us a wiser way of life, closer to nature – principles we apply to our business approaches.
Extending Our Support to Latvia’s Mountaineering Legacy
In our continued commitment to Latvia’s mountaineering community, we’re proud to lend our support and resources to the upcoming documentary film “The Road Never Ends,” which chronicles the life of Baltic climbing legend Teodors Ķirsis. This film, now in its final production stage and set for cinema release in 2025, aligns perfectly with our values of environmental responsibility and adventurous spirit.
Teodors Ķirsis was the leading climber from the Baltics during the 1980s and 1990s, becoming one of Latvia’s most internationally recognized figures. After the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1991, he and his team conquered some of the world’s highest peaks, including Dhaulagiri and Mount Everest, becoming the first Latvians to summit the latter in 1995. By 2001, he had accomplished the prestigious “Seven Summits” challenge, reaching the highest peaks on all continents.
Directed by Viktors Buda, the film features interviews with many renowned climbers, including Imants Zauls, Ilgvars Pauls, and Juris Ulmanis – the same mountaineer who inspired our recent Everest expedition. Shot authentically on location in Kathmandu, the Himalayas, and Aoraki/Mt Cook in New Zealand, the film embodies the same commitment to authenticity that drives our business practices.
For us at BRITTECO and LVFuel, supporting this film is a natural extension of our environmental ethos and our connection to Latvia’s proud mountaineering tradition. Just as we strive for zero waste in our operations, we value the zero-impact approach that true mountaineers bring to their expeditions.
As we continue to support environmentally conscious initiatives and the Latvian mountaineering community, we invite you to join us in celebrating this legacy when “The Road Never Ends” reaches cinema screens in 2025. Because for those who respect and protect nature – whether in business or in adventure – the journey truly never ends.
