OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
At NZSki we're on a mission to do the best we can by our environment.
We’ve made a commitment to be carbon neutral across Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt by 2030. We kicked things off by setting a goal of reducing our emissions by 50% in 2023. We proudly achieved this. In 2024, our goal was to reduce a further 5%, bringing us to a 55% reduction in carbon emissions.
We're proudly guided by the concepts of kaitiakitanga (meaning: guardianship and protection) and manaakitanga (meaning: respect, generosity and care). We understand and acknowledge that our environment is the backbone of our operation, and it’s our responsibility to look after it.
We don't take anything we do for granted and our promise to share our passion for the mountain has never felt as important as it does right now, as we continue on our journey to carbon neutral by 2030.
Road to Carbon Neutral
At NZSki our primary greenhouse gas emission sources are diesel fuel - used for grooming and transport - and electricity. Together our three mountains produce approximately 3000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2 only) annually.
To kick start our journey of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, we have committed to reduce net carbon emissions by 50% in 2023. Here's how we plan to do that:
1. We’ve purchased Meridian Energy’s Certified Renewable Energy product. In conjunction with our emission reduction programs it also means we can report our market-based scope 2 emissions as zero* (our scope 2 emissions are currently reported as over 1000T per annum).
2. Purchasing Carbon Credits from Carbonz – the credits come from native vegetation blocks in the Otago and Canterbury regions; for 2023 this offsets 400T.
3. The continuation of NZSki’s Emission Reduction Initiatives.
*Using the market-based reporting methodology as per the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Guidance.
Learn more about our mountain specific initiatives on our journey to carbon neutral by 2030 below.
Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak was established as a ski area in 1947. Before and during that time it was also an active farm. In the 1990s the ski area grew in popularity and farming ceased which has allowed the primary ground cover, Dracophyllum (Snow) Tussock, to flourish. At Coronet Peak we work to control and eliminate non-native plants and pests, rejuvenate the area and bring back the native Karearea – New Zealand Falcon.
The Remarkables
At The Remarkables we have a five-year partnership with The Kea Conservation Trust to work together to bring back the kea to our mountain. Through this partnership we provide funds for research and education, volunteer our time to help monitor kea, and work to ensure the mountain is a habitable environment for them enjoy. Along with pest control and revegetation projects we work hard to minimise waste and reduce our carbon emissions.
Mt Hutt
At Mt Hutt our goal is to become a carbon neutral ski area. We have invested heavily in upgrading equipment and waste management initiatives across the mountain as well as native planting. In 2020 we saw the return of a kea to our mountain. This native parrot hasn't been around for many years so it's proof our work to eliminate pests and revegetate our mountain is working.