Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum 2007 - Shaping our Future

Over 130 alpine resort practitioners came together on April 27 to help "shape their future". The event was the Third Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum held in Melbourne. Once again, climate change underpinned most of the Forum presentations and much of the discussion. The message was clearly that we can and must continue to take an active lead in raising awareness about the impact of climate change on the Alps and that all of us can help.

Welcoming the delegates to the Forum, the Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change, The Hon John Thwaites, MP announced that the Subaru Victorian Interschools SnowSports Championships had made a commitment to go carbon neutral and spoke of a new Keep Winter Cool competition with SkiMag to find out exactly what snow visitors are doing.

One of three keynote speakers, Mr Luke Cartin, told of the environmental initiatives at the Vail resorts in Colorado and the North American "Keep Winter Cool" program. Eminent scientist Dr Ken Green spoke of the implications of climate change for Alpine biodiversity and Ross Honeywill, an acclaimed consumer behaviourist, stressed that the "new consumers" demand sustainability.

A number of leading practitioners led workshops dealing with the Al Gore message, going carbon neutral, all season activity and the importance of forging partnerships. A panel session provided stimulating debate on how Alpine resorts can be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

A special highlight was a post Forum reception at Government House as guests of the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Krester, AC.

It was a most productive day with participants reporting that they thoroughly enjoyed the day, and specifically mentioned the great speakers, the networking and the seriousness in which environmental issues were dealt with. Typical comments were "stimulating and thought provoking".

· Alpine Resorts Forum Takes a Lead on Climate Change. (Media Release 27 April 2007)

· Photo Gallery

Program and Presentations
The Forum program is outlined below. Links have been provided to copies of presentations, where available.

Welcome to Country (A welcome by the traditional land owners) - Annette Xiberras, an Elder of the Wurundjeri.

Welcome to delegates and opening of Forum - The Hon John Thwaites MP, Victorian Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change.

Session 1 - Sustainable Business

Is sustainability the business of business - some thoughts - Andrew Fairley, Chairman ARCC

The New Consumer Landscape: Ignore Australia's 4 million NEO's at your peril! (PDF 2 mb) - Ross Honeywill, consumer behaviourist, best selling author, and futurist.

Session 2 - Alpine Sustainability

Embracing sustainability action at Vail (PDF 400 kb) - Luke Cartin, Environmental Manager, Vail Resorts, Colorado, USA.

It's not just about the Snow: Climate Change and Biodiversity (Part 1 - PDF 6.9 mb) (Part 2 - PDF 4.7 mb) - Dr Ken Green, Alpine Ecologist, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Session 3 - Developing Partnerships

The Al Gore message: getting your stakeholders involved - Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters and Associates.

Bringing disparate businesses together (PDF 1.6 mb) - Doug Smith, CEO Village Green Environmental Solutions and Banksia Award winner.

Successful alpine walking tracks: the importance of involving the community - Janet Mackay, Principal, Planning for People.

Uniting business, government and the community; and attracting money PDF (645 kb)- Terry White of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (a consortium working towards zero net emissions for central Victoria).

Summer activities in the Alps can work (PDF 400 kb) Winamp media file (1.4 mb)- Colin Battersby, CEO, Raw NRG Mountain Bike Centre, Thredbo.

How to become carbon neutral - Cheryl Bowler, Principal Consultant - Carbon Markets, Energetics Pty Ltd.

Session 4 - Panel Session: The Triple Bottom Line

Rapporteur - Ashley Blondel, immediate past Chairman of the Australian Ski Areas Association

Investing in infrastructure in a climate change environment - Nick Whitby, CEO Mt Buller Ski Lifts.

Australian Alps: potential "superlative" international tourism brand? (PDF 3.3 mb)- Bruce Leaver, First Assistant Secretary, Parks Australia.

Can business work with environmental groups? (PDF 880 kb) - Rupert Posner, Australian Director, The Climate Group.

Harnessing the energy of youth (PDF 44 kb) - Steve McMurtrie, Principal, Bogong Outdoor Education Centre.

Socially sustainable event management - Peter Stewart, Manager, The Events Melbourne Branch, City of Melbourne.

Session 5 - Drawing the Threads Together

Andrew Fairley, Chairperson, ARCC