Vail Resorts says it will commit to zero net emissions and zero waste to landfill by 2030, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat.

Rob Katz, chairman and CEO says, "Through improved business practices, capital investment and continued innovation and environmental stewardship, we are setting a goal of achieving a zero net operating footprint by 2030."

Vail Resorts says it will achieve net zero emissions in its operations by 2030 through the following initiatives:

  • Reducing the company's electricity and natural gas use by another 15 percent—in addition to the 19 percent already achieved—by improving operating practices and investing $25 million in low-energy snowmaking equipment, green building design and construction and more efficient grooming practices and equipment.
  • Purchasing 100 percent renewable energy equivalent to Vail Resorts' total electrical energy use and working with utilities and local, regional and national governments to bring more renewable energy to the grids where the company operates its resorts.
  • Investing in programs such as tree planting to offset the use of other types of energy (such as gasoline and diesel).
  • Engaging with the company's vendors and suppliers to identify and collaborate on opportunities for them to reduce their emissions and environmental impact.

Vail Resorts intends to achieve a 50 percent reduction in its net emissions by 2025, based on 2016 levels.

The company says it plans to achieve its 2030 goal of "zero waste to landfill" by diverting all of the waste from its operations to more sustainable pathways, including:

  • Improving its recycling and composting program.
  • Engaging with vendors to reduce packaging and to source recyclable and compostable products.
  • Working with local resort communities to increase options for reuse and diversion.
  • Increasing awareness and engagement with employees and guests through signage, labeling and training.

To protect the mountain landscapes in which the company operates, it says it will commit to the following initiatives:

  • Minimizing or eliminating the impact of any future resort development.
  • Planting or restoring an acre of forest for every acre of forest displaced by the company's operations, with the goal of achieving improved species and age diversity, resulting in healthier, more resilient forests.
  • Continuing and expanding Vail Resorts' existing commitments to partner with and fund local organizations focused on the health of forests, habitat and wildlife.

In 2016, for example, the company contributed more than $1 million to 50 environmental stewardship projects through direct grants, the company's $1 guest donation initiative and the 1 percent for the forest commitment, made in partnership with the National Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.