What is the pollution of skiing and winter sports? Carbon footprint of a winter sports resort in the Alps. Detailed calculations of greenhouse gas emissions and skiing

Study carried out between May 2007 and September 2007 by the Mountain Riders Association on the resort of Saint Martin de Belleville including the areas of Menuires and Val Thorens.

Objective: To estimate the origins of GHG emissions from tourism a mountain resort

Hypotheses of the eco-balance sheet study

Emissions counted

The figures considered relate to the activities of Saint Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens on 2006 year, some figures are averaged over 2 years.

The study concerns the energy used for all activities and direct consumption required to operate the station:

• transportation of vacationers from their home
• the routing of various deliveries to the station
•  all activities internal to the station
  Is :
•  Electricity: heating and consumption of accommodation, operation of the ski area, lighting, etc.
• Fuel: transport of tourists, goods and personnel, heating, snow-clearing, grooming, transport equipment, etc.

Unaccounted for issues that are not taken into account

• carbon depreciation of real estate and equipment
• leaks of polluting equipment (eg refrigerating equipment, etc.)
• waste treatment and end-of-life, which proportionally represent only a small part of the
  emissions from a mountain resort.

Furthermore, for reasons of methodology and lack of information, are not counted

• transport by Orelle, day vacationers
• upstream transport of goods from suppliers
• seasonal transport from their home to the resort
• personal transport for residents of the municipality
• construction site activities in summer
• emissions from second homes
• emissions linked to municipal lighting.

More: debate on ski pollution: carbon footprint of a ski resort

Download the study: Carbon footprint of a winter sports resort