Green News from Powder Byrne Partners
2020 will be a year of continued action for Powder Byrne as we build on our carbon off-setting programme launched this autumn. We’re passionate about the amazing environments we work in and acknowledge the climate emergency we are collectively facing to ensure future generations can continue to travel and enjoy amazing experiences in a sustainable way. We’re committed to making improvements to our practices and our programmes, however small they may seem in isolation, as we believe that if we all play our part we can make an important difference.
Choosing your travel partner, your airline and your hotel with an eye on their credentials is an increasingly important consideration for many clients – for others it is already at the top of their list. In tandem with our own efforts, we’re encouraging our hotel partners and suppliers to be more environmentally responsible and celebrating everything they’re achievements as we look ahead to 2020 and beyond.
Green News from Powder Byrne partners:
- The Tschuggen Hotel Group has committed to being completely carbon neutral, utilising everything from cutting edge technology such as the ice battery that powers the Valsana Hotel, to simple practices such as using only local and sustainable produce throughout the hotel group.
- Laax has continually been at the forefront of sustainable ski tourism through their Greenstyle project. As part of their commitment they have replaced the oil heating system at Flims base station with a climate-friendly district heating system, saving 70,000 litres of oil a year.
- The Valsana Hotel in Arosa has won the accolade of the ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’ in the 2019 World Ski Awards with another nominee and previous winner being rocksresort in Laax.
- Ahead of the eco-curve and implemented in 2011, the biomass heating plant in Zurs has saved 22,000 tonnes of CO2 annually through using renewable energy resources.
- The new 3S Cableway Valley Station in Zermatt has been installed with a state-of-the-art photovoltaics system. Integral to the design of the building it saves 23.4 tonnes of CO2 a year and generates enough power for 35 households.
- Fast fashion has become a dirty word and hipster hangout The Riders Hotel in Laax is fighting back with a weekly clothes repair service that lives by the motto ‘why throw away when it can be repaired?’
- Cervo Mountain Boutique in Zermatt has launched its new ‘CERVO 2020’ philosophy and is embarking on an extensive conservation project which will emphasise its local routes to combine luxury with a sense of responsibility.
- Penha Longa Resort in Portugal, famed for its delectable dining options, has introduced its own Chef’s Sustainable Garden, which provides ingredients for the resort restaurants.
- The resort of Andermatt champions sustainability throughout, from the construction of new hotels and apartments using carefully managed natural resources to generating renewable energy to source heat and electricity. The resort has been built up with careful consideration to the surrounding environment, using local and regional companies whenever possible.
- Arosa Lenzerheide has committed to using 100% renewable energy, optimizing the resort processes and using waste heat of compressed air generation and rail drives. Furthermore, through the introduction of Swiss Eco Tap valves throughout the resort, water consumption is reduced by 90%.
- Ki Niseko in Hokkaido, the greenest island in Japan, uses the energy from its natural onsen to heat the hotel in winter and for snow maintenance throughout the Niseko resort.
For more information on our commitments to sustainable travel and to share feedback and ideas on how we can improve please visit our website and review our Sustainability Policy.
