NSAA Launches New Climate Challenge Program

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has added a carbon emissions reduction competition to its Sustainable Slopes program. With the launch of the Climate Challenge program, NSAA has increased its efforts to bring visibility, recognition and focus to the challenge of measuring and reducing greenhouse gases at ski areas and resorts.  In fact, I’m at the NSAA’s National Convention & Tradeshow in Carlsbad, California this week to help educate program participants and encourage others to sign up.  

The Climate Challenge program is designed to create a framework and provide guidance and support for conducting a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, setting reduction goals and measuring progress and success. This is a complementary component to NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes program that was started back in 2000. Over the years, NSAA has encouraged participation and has worked with hundreds of ski areas to provide best practices, annual reporting, resource guides and training to help them reduce their environmental impact. With the addition of the Climate Challenge, NSAA is taking the next step to inspire action and create a streamlined process for showing meaningful and measurable progress in their industry.

To participate in the Climate Challenge commitment, ski areas must:

• Complete a carbon inventory
• Set carbon reduction goals
• Implement one measurable action each year to help meet reduction goals

By participating, they:

• Get tools to complete an inventory
• Receive guidance and access to industry experts
• Get training at the annual NSAA conference
• Benefit from following industry standards and protocols which will allow for apples to apples comparisons with peers

As a sponsorship partner for this program, Renewable Choice is excited to be a part of its inaugural year and contribute to an industry-specific challenge that promotes not only measuring GHG emissions but also setting reduction targets. There are eight ski areas that have already committed to this challenge that I want to recognize: Utah's Alta, Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort, Colorado's Arapahoe Basin and Telluride Ski and Golf Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyo., Jiminy Peak, Mass., and Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.

These organizations have stepped up and are committed to continuing to improve their sustainability performance.

For more information on the Climate Change program, please visit the NSAA website or read this article on our press page.

Megan Brown is Director of Product Marketing for Renewable Choice.