CertifieD B Corporation
Using Business As A Force For Good
We strive to be the best version of ourselves that we possibly can. In that spirit, Taos Ski Valley became the first ski resort in the world to become a certified B-Corporation in 2017. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
As a B Corp™, we join a global community that uses business as a force for good. It means we have an obligation to consider our workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment in everything we do. We pursue business practices that are not only environmentally friendly but promote a more resilient and robust community that celebrates the rich, living cultures that are woven together in the region.
NetZero 2030
IN 2020, TAOS SKI VALLEY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD ACHIEVE NET ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2030.
Net zero emissions means that all greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are balanced globally by removal on an annual basis. Taos’ net zero emissions by 2030 goal considers all direct (Scopes 1 & 2) and indirect (Scope 3) emissions under operational control. Removal of GHGs are completed through a combination of direct operational activities, such as reducing building energy use.
Carbon Accounting
TAOS has worked with the National Ski Areas Association since 2014 to calculate and publicly display its carbon footprint. Prior to 2021, we had only calculated our Scope 1 (emissions from direct fossil fuel use at the resort) and Scope 2 (emissions from electricity purchased from the grid) emissions. Now, with more robust data, help from our environmental consultants, and Climate Impact Partners, we have been able to identify our Scope 3 emissions (emissions from waste, employee travel, and other indirect activities).
CompleteD Initiatives
Energy Efficiency
Ecosystem Health & Fire Mitigation
Waste Reduction
NetZero 2030 Roadmap
TAOS Ski Valley will use the following strategies to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions:
- Energy Infrastructure: complete upgrades and preventative maintenance to its electrical infrastructure
- Renewable Electricity: obtain 100% renewable electricity supply through grid renewables, microgrid, and on-site renewable energy projects
- Building Efficiency Retrofits: achieve annual energy reduction in existing buildings
- Design Guidelines: reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new construction through design guidelines
- Targeted Electrification: electrify all on-mountain buildings
- Vehicles & Equipment: transitioning to carbon-free alternatives
- Scope 3 Emissions: ongoing efforts to divert waste from the landfill, incentivize the use of public transportation by guests and staff, and streamline supply-chain management
- Deployed Prinoth Husky eMotion 100% Electric Snow Groomer
- Began a trial of renewable diesel (RD99) in on mountain snow groomers and equipment.
- Purchased 3 electric snowblowers.
- Replaced 9 snowmobiles with electric snowmobiles.
- Utilized a hybrid Pistenbully snowcat which has a 20% fuel savings over traditional diesel snow cats.
- All resort buildings are undergoing an intensive energy audit to optimize building efficiency.
- Recycled 2,067 Lbs. of Aluminum, 18,600 Lbs. of glass, 30,056 Lbs. of cardboard, 215 Lbs. of batteries and 828 Lbs. of plastic.
- Composted over 44,000 Lbs. of food waste.
- Partnered with Watchwire, an energy management platform, to manage and optimize energy consumption and costs to drive informed decisions that will reduce the resort's carbon emissions and environmental impact.
- Kit Carson Electric Co-op, our electric provider, acheived 100% daytime solar-powered energy.
- Added additional EV chargers to increase total number for public use.
- Diverted 46,976 pounds of waste from the landfill.
- Achieved CarbonNuetral® certification by Climate Impact Partners.
- Added relevants Scope 3 measurement to our greenhouse gas accounting.
- Created a food waste diversion program utilizing an in-vessel composter that composts the majority of food waste at TAOS Ski Valley.
- Installed EV chargers for public use in the parking lot.
- Installed solar-powered motion lights in the parking lots.
- Converted 70% of our food waste into soil amendment through a food dehydrator system reducing methan gas emissions.
- Automated portions of our snowmaking system to reduce energy and water consumption.
- Installed occupancy sensors to administrative offices to reduce energy consumption.
- Joined a movement: On February 7, 2017, we became the world’s first certified B Corporation ski resort, thereby committing to the highest standards of transparency, inclusion, and respect for all. As a foundation for this commitment, we rewrote our bylaws to focus on our stakeholders instead of just our shareholders.
- The Blake achieved Silver LEED certification.
- Installed 2 EV chargers in The Blake's parking garage.
- Started a free staff shuttle to reduce the number of cars on the road.
Recognitions
Golden Eagle Awards
NSAA
Climate Advocacy
Sustainable Slopes
Climate Action
Sustainable Slopes
CertifieD CarbonNeutral®
As a step towards NetZero by 2030, Taos Ski Valley became Certified CarbonNeutral® in August of 2022 utilizing carbon offsets in its portfolio of carbon reduction strategies.
While we agree that solely purchasing carbon offsets is not a sustainable long-term strategy, it is a tool that we can utilize to better understand our carbon emissions and fund projects that are environmentally and socially responsible.
Taos Ski Valley has been certified by Climate Impact Partners as a Carbon Neutral company by using high-quality certified carbon credits that have been selected through Climate Impact Partners based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, price, and location. Our carbon footprint will be recalculated on an ongoing annual basis with fewer offset purchases each year until we reach Net Zero.
Carbon Neutral Vs. Net Zero
Carbon Neutral
- Definition: Achieving a balance between emitted carbon dioxide (CO2) and its removal or offset.
- Approach: Reduce emissions and then compensate for any remaining emissions by investing in projects that remove an equivalent amount of CO2.
- Goal: No net increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.
Net Zero
- Definition: Balancing out all greenhouse gas emissions with an equivalent amount of removal from the atmosphere.
- Approach: Reduce emissions significantly, improve energy efficiency, and actively remove CO2 through technologies or natural sinks.
- Goal: Achieve a neutral impact on the climate; no overall contribution to climate change.
Carbon Offset F.A.Qs
Our Carbon Offset Portfolio
Mudbrick Rocket Stoves
Malawi
Ethanol BioFuel Stoves
Kenya
Albany Water IFM
USA