Emissions Reduction Commitment

Our Journey with the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment

At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, we’ve always prided ourselves on providing our guests with an unforgettable experience amidst the beauty of nature. Today, we’re excited to announce a significant step in our ongoing commitment to preserving that natural beauty for generations to come. We’ve proudly joined the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment (TERC), a program designed to help tourism operators like us reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future for the tourism industry.

Understanding the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment

The Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment is an Australia wide program that enables tourism operators to take a proactive stance in addressing their environmental impact. By participating in this initiative, we’re not just making empty promises – we’re committing to concrete actions that will measurably reduce our carbon emissions and improve our overall sustainability practices.

The TERC program is a practical three-stage process that guides businesses through the journey of understanding, reducing, and avoiding emissions. Let us break down what this means for Kangaroo Ridge Retreat and our valued guests.

Stage 1: Understanding Our Emissions

The first step in any journey of improvement was understanding where we stood. For us at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, this meant diving deep into our operations to calculate our emissions from various sources. We looked at everything from our energy usage to our waste management practices, from our water consumption to our transportation needs.

This process was eye-opening, and the results were, frankly, a bit shocking. Our estimated carbon emissions came in at 44.5 tonnes per year, which is more than four times the industry of Accommodation and Food Services average of 10.25 tonnes. While this number was initially disheartening, it provided us with a crucial starting point and a clear mandate for change.

Breaking down our emissions sources revealed some surprising insights:

1. Supplier Emissions: By far the largest contributor to our carbon footprint was our supply chain, accounting for a estimated 36.6 tonnes of our annual emissions. This highlighted the critical importance of reassessing our procurement practices and working closely with our suppliers to reduce emissions.
2. Waste Management: Coming in at a distant second, but still significant, our waste processes contributed about 3 tonnes of carbon per year. This underscored the need for more efficient waste reduction and recycling programs.
3. Other Sources: The remaining 5.5 tonnes were distributed across various aspects of our operations, including energy use, water consumption, and transportation.

We realise that our higher-than-average emissions are partly a product of our tricky location, which impacts transportation and supply logistics. However, this understanding doesn’t serve as an excuse, but rather as a challenge to innovate and find creative solutions to reduce our environmental impact despite these geographical constraints.

While the numbers were initially overwhelming, we chose to view them as an opportunity. We now had a clear baseline from which to improve and specific areas to focus our efforts. This knowledge has been invaluable in shaping our action plan and setting meaningful, impactful goals for reduction.

Stage 2: Reduce – Creating our Action Plan

Armed with knowledge from our emissions assessment, we’ve developed an action plan to reduce our emissions. This plan, aligned with the ERC Protocol, outlines specific, measurable goals with clear timelines. Here are the key areas we’re focusing on:

1. Supply Chain Management:
   • We’re setting a new protocol for suppliers and conducting a thorough review to identify sustainability gaps. This is crucial, as our suppliers constitute our largest source of emissions. We already had a head start with a large local network but there is way more work to be done.
   • We aim to source locally as much as possible, supporting other local businesses and contributing to our community’s economy. This is an ongoing commitment that we’ve already implemented.
2. Waste Reduction:
   • We’ve implemented a guest waste separation process for general, recycling, and green waste. All glass and plastic with a deposit are returned via the local 10c deposit scheme, with refunds donated to a nominated local environmental charity. Details of this to be published by December 2024.
   • We’ve installed a composting system where guests can separate food waste for community composting.
   • Our goal is to reduce our waste production by half by the end of the year.
   • We’re working to end single-use plastics in our operations, providing composting biodegradable rubbish bags as one example.
3. Energy Efficiency:
   • We’ve replaced all lights in the accommodation with LED bulbs.
   • We’re aiming to increase our self-sufficiency proportion of solar and energy usage from 40% yearly average to 45% yearly average within 1-2 years.
   • We’ve implemented smart air conditioners and heaters to monitor and reduce usage for heating and cooling.
4. Water Conservation:
   • We’ve installed 185,000-liter rainwater tanks to increase the property’s water capacity.
   • We use water-efficient appliances and fixtures throughout our accommodation.
   • Within 1-2 years, we plan to replace jetted spas with baths to reduce the amount of water used per guest due to cleaning.
5. Sustainable Transportation:
   • We’re setting up a program to transition our single petrol vehicle to electric within the next 5 years.
   • While international and interstate business travel is currently rare for us, we’re committed to minimizing it as our business grows.
6. Sustainable Products and Practices:
   • We use biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products and provide these in complimentary soaps and shampoos for our guests.
   • Where possible, we purchase second-hand and refurbished furniture for the cabins. Our upcycled occasional chairs and dining room chairs feature work by local upholstery artists.
   • We adopt Australian-made products where possible.
   • We opt to repair first before recycling and replacing items such as printers, whitegoods, furniture, and cabinetry.
   • All packaging for our online goods is biodegradable and recyclable.
7. Workplace Practices:
   • We’ve implemented hybrid working where possible, allowing staff to work from home for administrative tasks.
   • We’ve adopted a staff-negotiated roster with compressed workweeks, reducing on-site days for administrative work.
8. Long-term Goals:
   • By 2030, we aim to become grid-independent by installing site batteries and a renewable backup power source.
   • We plan to transition off natural gas for hot water and cooking equipment.
   • We’re exploring biomass energy equipment as another form of renewable energy.

While some of these initiatives are already complete or underway, others are set to commence in the near future. We recognise that this is an ongoing process, and we’re committed to continually reviewing and improving our practices.

By implementing these measures, we’re not just aiming to reduce our carbon footprint — we’re striving to set a new standard for sustainable tourism in our region. We believe that these efforts will not only benefit the environment but also enhance the experience we offer our guests, providing them with a stay that’s both luxurious and eco-conscious.

Stage 3: Avoid – Transitioning to Renewables

The final stage of the TERC program focuses on adopting renewable energy sources. At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, we’re excited about the potential of renewables to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.

We’ve developed a plan to transition a significant portion of our energy needs to renewable sources over the next 6 years years. This includes participating in a Healesville Core Energy Project.

Our goal is to eventually source [insert your target percentage] of our energy from renewable sources, dramatically reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and setting a new standard for sustainable tourism in our region.

What This Means for Our Guests

Our participation in the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment isn’t just about behind-the-scenes changes – it’s about enhancing the experience for our guests and empowering them to make more sustainable travel choices.

As part of our commitment, we’re now licensed to use the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment logo. When you see this logo on our website you can be confident that you’re supporting a business that is actively working to reduce its environmental impact.

Moreover, we believe that many of our sustainability initiatives will directly enhance your experience at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. From the fresh, locally-sourced produce in our meals to the nature conservation efforts that help preserve the beautiful landscapes you come here to enjoy, our commitment to sustainability is all about ensuring that Kangaroo Ridge Retreat remains a pristine and rejuvenating destination for years to come.

The Broader Impact

Our participation in the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment goes beyond just our own operations. By joining this program, we’re part of a broader movement in the tourism industry towards more sustainable practices.

Your Role in Our Sustainability Journey

While we’re proud of the steps we’re taking, we recognize that true sustainability is a collaborative effort. We invite our guests to join us in this important work. Here are a few ways you can contribute:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Make use of our recycling facilities and be mindful of your water and energy use during your stay.
2. Support Local: Participate in our locally-sourced meal options and consider purchasing souvenirs from local artisans found on our take home shelf.
3. Provide Feedback: We value your input! Let us know your thoughts on our sustainability efforts and any ideas you have for further improvements.
4. Spread the Word: Share your experience at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat with friends and family, helping to promote sustainable tourism practices.

Looking to the Future

Our participation in the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment is just the beginning of our sustainability journey. We’re excited about the positive changes we’re implementing and the impact they will have on our retreat, our guests, and our local environment.

We invite you to follow along with our progress. We’ll be regularly updating our website with our latest sustainability initiatives and the outcomes of our efforts. You can find our full TERC report and commitment here providing transparent information about our emissions and our plans to reduce them.

At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, we believe that exceptional hospitality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. By choosing to stay with us, you’re not just treating yourself to a wonderful getaway – you’re supporting a business that is actively working towards a more sustainable future for the tourism industry.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kangaroo Ridge Retreat and sharing our beautiful, and increasingly sustainable, slice of paradise with you.

X Rebecca