Why is sustainability work important for ski resorts?
Sustainability is important for ski resorts as our operations depend on snow,
natural values, the expertise and well-being of our employees, customer safety,
and the trust of our stakeholders. All of these areas are a part of corporate
responsibility.
Sustainability efforts can also improve operational cost-efficiency and,
consequently, profitability. The more wisely we use resources and natural
resources, the more cost-efficiently we can operate.
Sustainability work strengthens competitive advantage: it can enable better
financing terms, for example in investments, attract better employees, help ski
resorts differentiate themselves from competitors, and respond to changing
customer expectations.
Active and proactive sustainability work makes it easier to adapt to changing
legislation as well as increasing requirements from authorities and stakeholders.
Key Sustainability Concepts
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is development meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(Brundtland definition)
Sustainable development requires economic, social, and environmental aspects
to be considered in operations and decision-making.
Responsibility
Responsibility means taking responsibility for impacts of any activities, whether
the impacts were negative or positive. Responsibility is linked to a company’s
decision-making and the way it operates. Sustainability, in turn, is the result of
these decisions and practices.
It can also be said that sustainability sums up all actions and measures that
promote sustainable development.
Corporate Responsibility
Corporate responsibility means complying with laws and conducting responsible
business beyond legal requirements for the benefit of society, while protecting
both the environment and people. It is often said that corporate responsibility
begins where legislation ends.
ESG
ESG is an established framework for managing and measuring corporate
responsibility from three perspectives:
- Environment
- Social – people, customers, stakeholders, and society
- Governance – good governance, financial management, and corporate culture
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions are gases generated by human activities, such as
carbon dioxide and methane, that accumulate in the atmosphere and contribute
to global warming.
The ESG Framework in Ski Resort Operations
E – Environment
Environmental responsibility is a critical area for ski resorts because our
operations both depend on and have an impact on the natural environment.
- Snow, water, and many other natural recources form the foundation of ski resort
operations. - Climate change is the most significant threat to the continuity of winter
operations. Mitigating climate change is essential to ensure that future
generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy snow sports.
S – People, Stakeholders and Society
The social responsibility of a ski resort includes not only employees and
customers, but also cooperation with stakeholders and the role of ski resorts in
society.
- The health, safety, and satisfaction of employees are top priority for a high-
quality employee experience and customer service. Investing in employee health
and safety is also economically beneficial from a cost perspective. - Customer safety is vital for the success and continuity of ski resort operations.
From a societal perspective, one of the most important impacts of ski resorts is
attracting people to exercise outdoors and in nature. In Finland, approximately
three million skier visits are recorded annually. - A ski resort is often a significant employer in its operating area and plays an
important role in promoting the vitality and viability of the local community.
G – Governance and Financial Responsibility
Good governance is the backbone of sustainability at a ski resort. Good
governance includes, but isn't limited to:
- Compliance with laws and regulations
- Profitability, which enables the wages of employees, improving
competitiveness, investments, and increasing the number of year-round jobs - Transparency, which strengthen stakeholder trust
- Systematic risk management, including adaptation to climate change
- Paying taxes in Finland
Greenhouse Gas Emissions at a Ski Resort – Scopes 1, 2 and 3
Greenhouse gas emissions accelerate climate change, which poses a critical
threat to ski resort operations. Emissions are divided into three categories
according to their source.
- Scope 1 – Direct emissions
- Fuel emissons by snow-cats, snowmobiles, machinery and other vehicles.
- On-site created energy for heating buildings, such as oil or pellets
- Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased energy
- Electricity used in slope operations, such as lifts, slope lighting, snowmaking,
etc. - Electricity and heating used in buildings, such as district heating or oil
- Electricity used in slope operations, such as lifts, slope lighting, snowmaking,
- Scope 3 – Indirect emissions from the value chain. Scope 3 covers indirect emissions generated throughout the use of the products
or services sold by the ski resort. Scope 3 emissions are divided into 15
categories, of which he most relevant for ski resorts include:- Capital goods and investments
- Purchased products and services
- Traveling to the ski resort (the single largest source)
- Waste management
- Employee commuting
More information about the different emission categories relevant to ski resorts
can be found in the Finnish Ski Area Association’s Climate Roadmap, which can
be downloaded from the materials bank at ski.emmi.fi.