Page 8 - Early Winter 2014

ENVIRONMENT NSAA Releases Climate Challenge Results for 2013 BY JUDY DORSEY, BRENDLE GROUP ince its introduction in the 2011-12 season the NSAA Climate Challenge continues to gain momentum, with more ski resorts signing on each year to participate in this important Sindustry-wide environmental initiative. The three-year-old voluntary program Overall, the Challengers reported recognizes ski areas that have commit- about 106,000 metric tons of carbon ted to developing greenhouse gas (GHG) dioxide equivalent (MTCO e) GHG 2 inventories, setting goals for GHG reduc- emissions in the 2013 reporting year, tion, implementing at least one on-site resulting in an average of 6,252 MTCO e 2 reduction strategy per year, and report- per ski area. In addition, Challengers ing success in reducing their overall GHG implemented on-site projects that reduced footprint. emissions 1,015 MTCO e in 2013. By 2 In addition to adding new mem- 2020, when all of the targets established bers, each year the program has built upon by Challengers have been completed, it is its successes to reduce participant GHG projected that they will reduce their emis- emissions, cut bottom-line costs by mak- sions by at least 44,500 MTCO e, about When Alta Ski Area, Utah, signed 2 ing operations more efficient, and support 44 percent of 2013 emissions—a sig- up for the Challenge in 2011, the ski area recognition of high-performing resorts. nificant accomplishment. This reduc- set a target of reducing emissions 20 per- The program welcomed 11 new members tion includes any REC purchases the cent below 2011 emissions by 2020. Alta in 2014 (see “NSAA Climate Challenge Challengers may be planning to achieve has continued to modernize its facilities, Participants,” pg. 8), bringing the total their targets. and most recently upgraded exterior light- number of participating resorts to 30 from The Challengers represent a variety ing to LED, installed a new energy-effi- across North America. of ski area sizes, regions, and operational cient boiler, and continued to upgrade The Climate Challenge is adding a characteristics, and the GHG intensity of windows in an older building to a 0.3 new requirement pertaining to advocacy the electricity they purchase from the grid u-factor. Alta has also has planted a vari- for the 2014 season. Each participating varies widely. This demonstrates that all ety of native trees and plants, achieved a ski area will be required to endorse at least types of ski areas can succeed and benefit 51 percent diversion rate for recycling, two energy or climate change advocacy from reducing emissions. established an idle-free policy, conducted letters circulated by NSAA. Additionally, members will be required to send direct correspondence to their Congressional Average Climate Challenge Results Since 2011 delegation regarding their efforts, the efforts of the NSAA Climate Challenge, 2011 2012 2013 Total and include a call for action by Congress on climate change. Total Number of Ski Areas Enrolled 8 18 19 N/A Climate Challenge results from 2013, Average GHG Emissions per Ski Area 8,558 6,361 6,252 N/A the most recent year of data collection, indicate that the participating areas are On-Site Emission Reductions* 295 1,067 1,015 2,377 making significant strides in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions. The table at Renewable Energy Credits Purchased 9,833 40,255 45,046 95,134 right provides an overview of the progress ski areas have made in that respect during * Measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO e). the past three years. 2 6 | NSAA Journal | EARLY WINTER 2014 w w w. n s a a . o rg NSAA Early Winter 2014 prepressed v5b.indd 6 10/29/14 6:06 PM