Resort Municipality of Whistler Executes its Vancouver 2010 Carbon Partner Program Commitment

Whistler, BC – The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is proud to support the goal of a carbon neutral 2010 Winter Games by fulfilling its commitments under the 2010 Carbon Partners Program (CPP). Under the CPP program – and in partnership with Offsetters, the Official Supplier of Carbon Offsets for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – the RMOW has voluntarily offset its Games-time corporate carbon emissions as well as all incremental corporate carbon emissions associated with the RMOW’s planning and preparation for the Games. 

“Whether committing to carbon neutrality in our Carbon Neutral Operations Plan, or within the 2010 Carbon Partners program, foremost to our approach is the urgency of addressing the climate challenge,” said Mayor Ken Melamed. “The future costs of inaction far outweigh today’s investment to reduce emissions.”

The RMOW’s approach to carbon emission reduction is simple: understand what the RMOW’s emissions are, reduce as  many emissions as possible, and then neutralize the remaining emissions through credible offsetting programs.

Continuing its effort to support and strengthen the sustainability commitments of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the RMOW recently finalized its carbon emission forecast consistent with the broadest scope included within the CPP.  “All incremental greenhouse gas emissions included within the RMOW’s corporate operations that deemed to be associated with the planning, preparing and staging of the Games have been included within the forecast” says Ted Battiston, the RMOW’s Manager of Sustainability Initiatives. “This includes all flights and ground transportation associated with planning meetings, international venue visits, projected additional fuel use by our roads crew during the Games, Whistler Live! electricity consumption as well as the projected ground and air transportation emissions for all Whistler Live! performers.”

For the commitment period (2003-2010), emissions from staff and Council travelling on Games-related flights totaled approx. 130 tCO2e and ground transportation approx. 110 tCO2e. Current forecasts for Games-related incremental corporate emissions in 2010 total approx. 150 tCO2e primarily for enhanced road and snow services, and for Whistler Live! travel and electricity-based emissions. Total incremental corporate emissions included within the CPP scope are estimated at 390 tCO2e – a number that could have been much higher without a conscious commitment to reduced staff travel (expanded web conferencing and conference calling alternatives), biodiesel use in roads crew vehicles, consolidated Whistler Live! performer travel, and significantly reduced reliance on back-up diesel generators at Whistler Live! stage sites. The cost to offset the 390 tonne footprint is $9,365, and will be drawn from existing budgets within the Whistler Games Office. 

All offsets purchased by the RMOW are sourced from the Offsetters 2010 Legacy Portfolio which includes a 50/50 blend of third party-verified, high quality offsets from British Columbia-based clean technology companies, and Gold Standard international projects that are certified to include additional social co-benefits in developing world project communities.  For more information on the specific companies and projects included within the 2010 Legacy Portfolio visit offsetters.ca/2010-legacy-portfolio.

While the Carbon Partner Program will make a significant contribution toward offsetting the indirect carbon emissions associated with the Games, there is still an opportunity for individuals and families to do their part as well. To find out more about offsetting your personal or corporate emissions associated with the attending the Games, visit: www.offsetters.ca/what-you-can-do.

 
About the Resort Municipality of Whistler
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is the local government in Whistler governed by an elected council, and administered by an executive team and staff on behalf of 10,000 residents and two million annual visitors.  

It includes the following community service departments: environmental services - planning, development and operations of utilities; resort experience - planning, development and operation of village, parks, sports facilities; community life - planning, building services, recreation, bylaws, RCMP, fire rescue; economic viability - fiscal planning and financial services; policy and program development - legislative services and Whistler2020; and the 2010 Games office.

Whistler is proud to be Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  It will be the site of the alpine, Nordic, and sliding events for the Games as well as the Whistler Live!  Program featuring daily entertainment, nightly medals ceremonies, and the closing ceremony for the Paralympic Winter Games. Whistler’s vision is to be the premier mountain resort community as it moves toward sustainability.

About the 2010 Carbon Partner Program
The Carbon Partner Program is a joint effort between the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and Offsetters, who together are working toward the goal of hosting a carbon neutral 2010 Winter Games by offsetting as much as 268,000 tonnes of carbon emissions or the equivalent of removing 49,084 passenger vehicles from the road. This includes 118,000 tonnes of direct emissions from the Games and an additional estimated 150,000 tonnes of indirect carbon emissions created by spectators, guests, sponsors and partners of the Games. The2010 Carbon Partners program includes corporate, government and broadcast partners who have each volunteered to offset some of their own carbon emissions related to the 2010 Winter Games. A full list of 2010 Carbon Partners can be found at www.ofsetters.ca/meet-our-2010-carbon-partners.
 
About Offsetters
Offsetters is Canada’s first and leading integrated carbon management company.  Since 2005, Offsetters has been helping individuals and organizations understand, reduce, track, and offset their greenhouse gas emissions.  We use carbon offset funds to develop and invest in high-quality, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that would otherwise not take place.  Our ultimate goal is to create a mainstream shift toward clean energy systems that will get us out of the fossil fuel dependence we face today. For project, team, product and service information visit www.offsetters.ca.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
RMOW Media Relations
604.967.3030
me...@whistler2010.com  
 
Melanie Wong
Manager, Marketing
Offsetters
604.699.2652
mela...@offsetters.ca