Sustainability at Skyline
We're always looking at how we can improve our environmental and conservation efforts and invite you to come along with us on our journey!
Our Commitment to Care
Skyline Queenstown has been an integral part of the local community since its humble beginnings in 1967. Our focus is on ensuring that we, and our communities, continue to thrive for generations to come – and that means, we need to operate with a light footprint on the land while caring for our people, our communities, and our customers.
Our priorities have been formalised in our Sustainability Framework
We are working towards ensuring each sustainability focus area has sound metrics, targets and action plans defined. We are currently measuring emissions-related impacts (e.g. electricity, waste, fuel, water usage, travel) and community support (donations, sponsorships, in-kind).
Climate change is an important issue for us. We measure our operational emissions annually, and are taking action to reduce our emissions to ensure we limit the impact of our operations on global warming.
Environmental & Conservation Initiatives
For many years, our local Care Team at Skyline Queenstown has been trialling and implementing initiatives that look after our place on Bob’s Peak. These include:
- We contribute both cash and in-kind support to Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG), to protect biodiversity and the landscape of the Wakatipu Basin and give unlimited Gondola access to WCG members who manage an ‘adopt-a-plot’ section.
- We partner with Whakatipu Wildlife Trust to set up trapping for possums, rats and mice on Bob’s Peak. Within its first summer in 2020, we trapped over 70 possums.
- We removed all single-use plastic cutlery and coffee cups from our F&B operations, saving approximately 56,000 cups from becoming landfill waste
- We recycle what we can, and are working towards finding solutions for waste that is currently not able to be recycled in our region, e.g. food waste.
- We have digitised our SOPs and reviews across the business
- We work with key food and beverage suppliers to redesign our product packaging to suit our recycling solutions, e.g. we changed to canned drinks instead of plastic bottles.
- Our engineering team designed a hydraulic and gearbox oil filter that recycles 500L of oil annually.
- We’re working with suppliers to collect the waste products directly related to their supplied products, e.g. cooking oil is collected to make into Bio-diesel, used milk containers are taken away with deliveries, and recycled into drainage pipes or other plastic rPET materials.
- Our international Luge development team has found a way to repurpose end-of-life Luge carts into new track curbing, and old Luge brake pads are turned into recycled rubber pavers.
- As part of our commitment to reduce our energy use, we are fitting energy efficient lighting, appliances and cooling systems.
Community Initiatives
As Skyline Queenstown, we deeply value our connection with the local community and are committed to actively engaging with the communities in which we operate.
Giving back to the community is at the heart of our values. Each year, we contribute over $250,000 through targeted in cash and in-kind sponsorships to local organizations, with a focus on our sustainability pillars – People, Place, and Prosperity. By supporting various community initiatives and causes, we strive to make a positive impact and support the growth and well-being of the places we call home.
Long-term relationships with key community groups that effect positive change.
By promoting accessibility, sustainability, education, and safety, we strive to create lasting positive impacts that uplift the lives of those who call this beautiful region home.
We are proud to sponsor:
- Basket of Blessings
- Graeme Dingle Foundation
- Queenstown Marathon volunteers
- Ronald McDonald House
- Wakatipu Junior Rugby Club
- Whakatipu Wildlife Trust
- LUMA Southern Lights Festival
- Tour of NZ
- Queenstown Mountain Bike Club
- Whakatipu Wilding Control Group
- Central Lakes Family Services
- Wakatipu High School Foundation
- Big Buddy Programme
- Lakes District Air Rescue Trust
- Queenstown Primary School
Supporting 100% renewable electricity generation
We’re proud to support 100% renewable energy generation by purchasing Meridian’s Certified Renewable Energy product. This means that the electricity we get from our grid in New Zealand is matched on an annual basis by an equivalent amount from Meridian’s hydro stations or wind farms, which are independently verified as producing 100% renewable electricity.
We consider this initiative important as it has reduced our *Scope 2 emissions considerably, however we’re not done yet; our priority is on exploring more ways to decarbonize our on-site operations through energy, resource, and waste minimisation.
It’s one way we’re committing to offering memorable tourism experiences with a lighter footprint.
*Using the market-based reporting methodology as per the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Guidance.
Industry Commitments
In 2019, we pledged our support to the Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s Tourism Sustainability Commitments to work together with our industry partners towards being a world-leading, truly sustainable tourism industry.
In addition, we proudly support the Tiaki Promise, an initiative that embraces the values of guardianship and responsible tourism.
The Tiaki Promise is a commitment made by all who visit Aotearoa New Zealand to care for and protect our natural environment, cultural heritage, and communities. We believe in the importance of preserving the breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural experiences that make Queenstown so special.
