ForeverProject
Our Commitment to Net Zero Emissions and Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
Boyne Resorts recognizes human-driven climate change as an urgent issue for the world, as well as for the SnowSports industry. In early 2021, we formalized commitments to climate action and announced our ForeverProject.
ForeverProject is an initiative to attain a sustainable tomorrow through collaboration, by positively affecting the lasting impact our resorts, team members, and guests have on the planet.
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- Power all operations with 100% clean electricity
- Reduce dependence on carbon-based fuels in existing buildings through energy efficiency upgrades and electrification
- Develop and implement high-efficiency green building standards for design and construction of new facility and real estate projects
- Upgrade our lift networks, installing the most technologically advanced lifts, and enhancing the energy efficiency of lift houses
- Install low-energy equipment while expanding snowmaking
- Add on-site renewable energy generation projects
- Monitor emerging technologies to identify opportunities to maximize efficiency and electrification of fleet vehicles and equipment
- Seek partnerships with local and/or meaningful programs to sequester carbon
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- Expand composting
- Enhance recycling
- Partner with local and non-profit organizations to donate/repurpose items, from uniforms to equipment
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- Participate in community environmental clean-ups
- Protect and limit disturbances to wildlife habitats, forests, and wetland ecosystems
- Conserve water through efficiency upgrades and utilizing recycled water where possible
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- Educate team members on the purpose of specific plans and encourage their input and ideas
- Be a leader in the community, educating guests about sustainability and welcoming their participation in initiatives
- Advocate at local, regional, and national levels for policies that promote climate solutions
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- Invest in Team Member housing to address local housing shortages
- Encourage and provide options to team members to utilize sustainable modes of transportation
- Develop great people
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- Promote carpooling and sustainable transportation options to and from our properties
- Collaborate with local and regional non-profits, government agencies, and community organizations
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Mindful Efficiency
Create and maintain a culture of reduction: energy use, waste output, water impact; balanced with maximized utilization of our human, technological, natural, and financial resources.
Tireless Conservation
Protect the natural environment unwaveringly, ensuring proper use for purposes related to outdoor recreation, and preserving or rehabilitating the land over which we are stewards.
INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION
Support and reward outreach and partnerships that extend beyond all traditional boundaries, providing deeply valuable impact among our team members, and in our communities, industry, and environment for the long term.
NET ZERO EMISSIONS
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COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL/REGIONAL UTILITIES SUPPLIERS TO IDENTIFY AND ACT UPON OPPORTUNITIES OF EVERY SCALE TO REDUCE ENERGY AND FUEL USE -
ENGAGE EXPERTS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO HELP CHART A PATH TOWARD A FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS -
FULLY IMMERSE NET ZERO INTENTIONS, TACTICS, AND TARGETS INTO THE COMPANY’S CULTURE -
THOROUGHLY AND CONTINUOUSLY EDUCATE TEAM MEMBERS ON THE PURPOSE AND SPECIFIC PLANS, THE NECESSITY OF THEIR SUPPORT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WORKPLACE, AND THE VALUE OF THEIR INPUT AND IDEAS -
PURCHASE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY WHERE AVAILABLE AND PARTICIPATION WITH LOCAL/REGIONAL GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE IN EACH RESORT COMMUNITY -
FURTHER REDUCE ELECTRICITY USE THROUGH FOCUSED AND ONGOING REVISION OF RESORT OPERATIONS PRACTICES IN AREAS SUCH AS SNOWMAKING, SNOW GROOMING, AND TURF MAINTENANCE -
CONTINUED ENHANCEMENT OF LOW-ENERGY AND PROPRIETARY SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT -
PURCHASE OF ONLY THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT, SYSTEMS, AND TECHNOLOGY AT ALL LEVELS OF THE OPERATION; UPGRADING AS POSSIBLE -
UTILIZE GREEN BUILDING GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITY AND REAL ESTATE PROJECTS -
REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON NATURAL GAS -
FORMALIZE THE COMPANY’S HISTORICAL COMMITMENT TO PLANTING TREES AS A MEANS OF OFFSETTING ENERGY USE
Go Above and Beyond
NET ZERO EMISSIONS
Boyne Resorts’ operations throughout North America will achieve 100% renewable energy for the 2020/21 Winter season and will maintain a commitment to clean power into the future.
- By sourcing a global purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs), all resorts and city facilities will reach 100% clean power
- Early 2021 installation of a large-scale solar array at Boyne Mountain Resort in Michigan will serve as a pilot for installation projects to take place at multiple locations in the resort network
- Strengthening relationships with suppliers committed to renewable energy becomes a priority along with guiding the outlying suppliers to develop and execute timely plans for use of clean power
NSAA CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Led by National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), Climate Challenge is a voluntary program dedicated to helping participating ski areas target and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, engage in advocacy on climate change solutions, and reap other benefits in their operations, such as reducing costs for energy use. Each of our nine ski resorts is Benefits include access to formal training and tools to conduct a GHG inventory and identify opportunities for reductions and savings, and the ability to benchmark operations against others.
Participation requires endorsement of NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes program including a pledge to the following, as well as prioritized focus on areas such as water, waste, transportation, design and construction, forest health and habitat, and supply chain:
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Incorporate sustainability into all aspects of our resorts
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Lead by example, and educate employees and guests about sustainability
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Place collaboration over competition when it comes to sustainability
- Advocate for climate protection
The company notes its pledge to environmental sustainability must be balanced with maintaining economical sustainability and regards the balance as foundational in all planning. Understanding the dire need to place greater focus on reducing its carbon footprint, Boyne Resorts’ plans and execution will continue to evolve and also include sustainable practices related to waste reduction, reuse of materials, and limiting impact to the treasured land, habitats, and natural resources at its resort playgrounds.
