Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge continues its long-term commitment of environmental leadership in Jasper National Park with a line-up of key initiatives focused on sustainable practices. These programs and activities have set the stage for this 700-acre resort nestled in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site to improve its environmental performance, enhance the guest experience, create a sense of community, form mutually beneficial partnerships, reduce plastic consumption, and more. Highlights of these include:
Green Key Certification
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has earned a 5 Green Key Eco-Rating Certification from Green Key Global for five consecutive years. This program recognizes hotels and lodging facilities for their commitment to improving environmental and fiscal performance when it comes to sustainable commitments. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has been featured on Green Key Global’s website as an example of a large business effectively integrating sustainability into its operations.
FireSmart Canada
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and its ownership group have identified and invested significant capital resources to remove major fire hazards around the entire property. Staff communities have also banded together to conduct annual property and shoreline clean ups to keep the property safe for wildlife and guests. The resort actively participates in the FireSmart Safe Neighbourhood Program to further its commitment of keeping its communities safe from wildfires.
Sustainable Cuisine
In addition to sourcing an increasing amount of local Albertan food and only serving OceanWise Certified fish to prevent overfishing of at-risk species, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has increased its growing capacity in the resort’s greenhouse to help reduce food sourcing costs and carbon emissions related to transportation. In operation since 1929, the greenhouse continues to grow many plants used to beautify Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s property, and in 2020 it was upgraded to allow the capacity to grow microgreens and root vegetables that are utilized by their culinary team in the resort’s restaurants.
A staff garden was also created to allow employees to take up an exciting outdoor hobby, create a better sense of community, and help create a localized food system. Staff residents at the resort can reserve a plot and grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers that are approved and permitted by Parks Canada and in accordance with invasive species protocols.
Landfill Diversion
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is proud to have enrolled in a new soap donation partnership with Soap for Hope at the beginning of 2022. This small but fast growing non-profit organization has already diverted 97,600 pounds of gently used products away from landfills by repackaging them for shelters and organizations that support vulnerable populations in Alberta. In 2021 alone, Soap for Hope distributed over 16,000 Hygiene kits and over 342,000 essential hygiene products and linens.
During 2020 & 2021, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge diverted over 10,000 pounds of used furniture, linen, uniforms and electrical fixtures from the landfill through donations made to Goodwill Alberta. These donations inspired upcycler artist, Dave Mcauley, to save 4,500 pieces of extremely tarnished and damaged Fairmont Hotels, Canadian Pacific Hotels, and Canadian National Hotels branded silverware, with which he has plans to clean and utilize in his unique artwork.
Planet 21 & Solidarity Week – Accor
Accor’s Planet 21 sustainable development program focuses on four key pillars: work with its employees, involve its customers, innovate with its partners, and support local communities. As part of this overarching program, Solidarity Week encourages Accor’s hotels to partner with a local organization and help facilitate their cause. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has taken part in this initiative by accepting food donations from their employees to provide to the Jasper Food Bank, winter clothing for the Jasper Community Outreach Services, and donating $500 to Jasper Victims services which assists those who are victims of crime or trauma in Jasper National Park.
