Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has been officially certified carbon neutral

by Keith Powell — March 28, 2012

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has achieved "carbon neutral status‟ for 2011, purchasing sufficient offsets to balance out all the resort's operational emissions.

Dean Prentice, COO, says the resort joined the EcoStay program in December 2010.

“Becoming certified as officially carbon neutral during our first year in the national EcoStay program is a great accomplishment for Fairmont Hot Springs Resort," he said "Carbon offsetting is an important part of our ongoing commitment to develop green and sustainable practices within the resort.”

EcoStay is a national initiative that helps hotels and resorts measure their carbon footprint, identify and fund reduction strategies and balance out their greenhouse gas emissions through carbon offsetting. Under the program, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort collects $2 per night from hotel guests. These funds are then used to purchase carbon offsets. $1.50 is used to purchase carbon offsets and 50¢ is used to make on-site and local eco-improvements.

Prentice said, “The amount of carbon offset during 2011 is incredible. 1,647.8 tonnes of carbon offsets have been purchased from emission-reducing projects. In real terms, that's equivalent to taking 120,289 cars off the road for a day!”

Earlier this year, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort launched a new in-house eco-improvement initiative called Green Clean, funded though the project.

“Green Clean is one more way our guests can help us conserve natural resources when they visit,” said Prentice. “Guests now have the option to decline housekeeping service for the day, and in return we reward them with a gift voucher to spend on dining.”

All EcoStay Carbon Offset projects are registered on the Canadian Standards Association‟s (CSA) GHG Clean Projects Registry to ensure proper reporting and independent verification. Every offset project meets the strict requirements of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or VCS (Verified Carbon Standard). The carbon offsets are supplied by LivClean, a top ranked carbon offset retailer by the David Suzuki Pembina Institute.

For more media information on Fairmont Hot Springs Resort’s EcoStay profile and to view the certification please visit the website.