Goal: By 2030, Whistler demonstrates leadership in redefining tourism in a low carbon world.
Our resort community is successful because of our vibrant tourism amenities that attract visitors from around the world. Emissions associated with tourist travel to and from Whistler are estimated significantly higher than Whistler’s total community emissions. While the vast majority of these emissions occur outside of Whistler’s municipal boundaries, they should be considered since they are a result of Whistler’s success and because there are increasing expectations for the tourism industry to address travel emissions.
Achieving significant GHG emissions reductions related to tourism travel presents a big challenge for the tourism industry as a whole, Whistler included. As such, this Big Move and most of the associated key initiatives are high level to help stimulate discussion and engagement and allow for learning and research to inform stronger next steps.
Key initiatives
1. Partner with the tourism sector to define tourism in the future low carbon world and to show leadership in marketing a low-carbon vacation destination
2. Promote Whistler’s businesses that are leading on climate action
3. Partner with resort organizations to create marketing and communication about the benefits of longer duration travel and fewer annual trips
4. Partner with resort organizations and regional partners to encourage alternatives to personal vehicles travelling to and within Whistler, for example through marketing and communication
5. Partner with car rental agencies to make EVs available for visitors
6. Partner with resort organizations to encourage high quality/gold standard greenhouse gas offset purchases and carbon neutral vacations used as a short-term approach until direct reductions in the emissions related to travel can be achieved
Contact
Climate and Environment
climatechange@whistler.ca
