Background of the Announcement:

The ski industry, including ski resorts directly affected by snow shortages due to global warming, has increasingly recognized the urgency of environmental issues. Hakuba Village, where Hakuba Goryu is located, declared a “climate emergency” in December 2019 and issued the “Zero Carbon City Declaration” as a village-wide initiative to achieve a 100% renewable energy self-sufficiency rate (zero net CO2 emissions) by 2050. Hakuba Valley Tourism, the DMO overseeing tourism for the entire Hakuba area, also set a midterm goal among cable car operators: “By 2025, all ski resorts in the area will proceed with the switch to renewable energy for power.” These commitments at the regional level reflect the heightened awareness and actions required of resort operators regarding environmental issues.

In response to these movements, Hakuba Goryu formed a partnership with the environmental protection organization Protect Our Winters Japan (POW JAPAN) in 2019 when it was established in Japan. In 2020, it successfully operated the world’s first night ski slopes with 100% renewable energy, and it has continued these operations until the last season. The company has actively engaged in activities such as slope clean-ups and transitioning to energy-efficient LED lighting. The annual power consumption of Hakuba Goryu in 2022 was 2,850,229 kWh, equivalent to over 7,000 times the annual power consumption of an average four-person household. Recognizing the significant impact of transitioning this amount of power to renewable energy, the company hesitated due to factors such as the restructuring trends of new power companies and cost considerations. However, with expectations of recovering tourism, a clear cost outlook, stable renewable energy supply, and the appropriateness as a destination for the reduction of lift ticket price increases, the company decided to make a complete switch starting from the 2023-24 winter season.

In October 2023, Hakuba Village was selected as the “Best Tourism Village,” a sustainable and outstanding tourism destination certified by the UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization. This recognition provided additional impetus to the decision, as the direction Hakuba Village is heading toward became apparent, and the company aims to act as a leading snow resort guiding Hakuba Village toward the same future.

Steps Toward a Sustainable Resort at Hakuba Goryu

Hakuba Goryu has been actively engaged in various initiatives aimed at realizing a sustainable resort since before the growing global momentum of SDGs. Recognizing the responsibility inherent in operating a ski resort created by altering the natural environment, the company has pursued initiatives aligned with its environmental policy in a natural progression, understanding the need to pass on a better condition to the next generation.

In the year 2000, following the closure of the ski resort, the planting of alpine plants commenced, marking the beginning of preparations for the opening of the botanical garden. In 2006, the “Enesave” power generator, utilizing thermoelectric energy generated during power production for snow melting and heating, was introduced. The accumulation of these small activities bore fruit, leading to the acquisition of the ISO 14001 international certification standard for environmental management systems in 2008.

Since renaming to “Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden” in 2010, the company has actively collaborated with organizations such as the Japan Plant Society and the Ministry of the Environment to engage in activities aimed at the conservation of endangered species and ptarmigan preservation through food plant cultivation. Initiatives related to environmental protection include the introduction of the “TrailRider” to allow individuals with physical disabilities to enjoy the botanical garden. Collaborative projects with local junior high school students, such as the “Hanamame” initiative focusing on locally produced and consumed beans, and initiatives like offering free participation in summer events for single-parent families and discounted rates for female guests during the “International Women’s Day” campaign demonstrate the multifaceted approach to SDGs.

The recent launch of a dedicated recruitment site is also viewed as a measure to realize a sustainable resort in a broad sense. Hakuba Goryu places a commitment to “sustainable resort operation” as one of its core values, and all employees actively participate in addressing not only environmental issues but also challenges related to human rights and gender.

▼Progress in Hakuba Goryu’s Environmental and SDGs Initiatives
https://prezi.com/i/bz7cpwabkrgs/sdgs/

For the full press release, please refer to the link below (Japanese only)
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000015.000079579.html