Reaffirming its position as the global leader in sustainable tourism, Emirates’ Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa has maintained its carbon neutral status for the second year in a row with a carboNZeroCertTM recertification.

As the first, and still the only hotel in the world to achieve carboNZero certification by an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification scheme, the announcement comes after a full year of operation and reinforces the resort’s commitment to sustainability and conservation.

A scenic three-hour drive from Sydney and nestled between two national parks bordering the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Wolgan Valley was selected by Emirates after an extensive research for a location that lent itself to world-class conservation-based practices.

“Wolgan Valley completely embraces sustainability whilst enhancing the guest experience by delivering the first-class standards and quality expected from luxury resorts,” said Joost Heymeijer, General Manager, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. “Maintaining our status as carbon neutral is important and aligns with Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa’s philosophy and values. We’re completely accountable for our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint, “he added. “It is gratifying to see our pioneering efforts have proven worthwhile.”

The carboNZero certification, developed at Landcare Research New Zealand, indicates that the greenhouse gas emissions associated with Wolgan Valley’s operations have been independently measured and verified in accordance with international standards. It also recognises the resort’s commitment to continuously managing and reducing its emissions.

The carbon neutral status for Wolgan Valley was made possible through a combination of initiatives, including large-scale environmental rehabilitation programmes, removal of cattle from the property, and protection of existing remnant vegetation areas.

To date, over 175,000 indigenous trees have been planted in wildlife corridors and along creek banks on site, while not a single tree was destroyed by the construction of the resort.

“This certification confirms our integrity, credibility and commitment to protecting the natural environment. We’re proud to continually prove to the world that sustainability and luxury needn’t be mutually exclusive,” concluded Mr Heymeijer.

Emirates flies daily from Malta to Dubai with a stopover in Larnaka, Cyprus. The Malta-Dubai route gives a convenient connection to outgoing and incoming passengers from Australia.

Photocaption 1-3: Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa - the first, and still the only hotel in the world to achieve carboNZero certification by an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification scheme.