P&V is implementing environmental specifications covering water, waste, energy, countryside and biodiversity, building materials and construction sites. Beyond regulatory requirements, renewable energy sources are promoted across all sites. Belle Dune was the pilot site for a feasibility study for installation of thermal solar panels, now being installed.

• zero-carbon

Installation of 60m² of solar panels set to cover 50% of hot water requirements. Energy saving lights and motivation campaign initiated.

• zero-waste

Optimisation of a recycling programme by adding onsite recycling containers, accompanied by a continuous client educational campaign.

• sustainable water

Water-saving faucets and toilets have been installed. Feasibility study underway to water golf course from an existing drilled water-hole.

• local and sustainable building materials

Wood clad constructions from renewable sources. Ongoing: use of biodegradable cleaning products and chemicals reduction in landscape areas.

• sustainable transport

A car-free environment, bike paths, walking and hiking trails are a feature. The promotion of the use of public transport to reach site is underway.

The resort has been awarded an High Quality Environment (HQE) certificate - the major focus of which is perfect energy control. Renewable energy sources include solar thermal. Offsite construction processes reduce material waste and include environmentally friendly building products. Preservation and enhancement of the region’s heritage has been taken into consideration, and no construction will take place within eight metres of protected vegetation.

• zero-carbon

The resort has been awarded a High Quality Environment (HQE) certificate which indicates a high level of energy control and therefore CO2 emission reductions. Solar thermal is installed for hot water provision.

• zero-waste

Off-site construction processes reduces material waste. Samples of the environmentally friendly products selected and used are viewable onsite. A recycling programme for waste/packaging is in place. Recycling and composting will be initiated.

• sustainable water

Ground-water entrapment has been initiated on the pedestrian pathways where the materials used are eco-friendly cement (porous made of sand and water). On the more dense roads irrigation is in place to allow the entrapment of rainwater.

• local and sustainable building materials

Local materials have been used for boardwalks, stonewalls and pedestrian pathways, specifically regional wood and local stones used to build.

• sustainable transport

A fast TGV link from Paris that passes through Burgundy and the east of France makes the resort easily accessible by rail. Cars are kept to a minimum, and walking encouraged through the provision of paths and walkways.

Avoriaz, a car-free ski resort located in the Morzine valley and close to Chamonix, was founded more than 40 years ago. For the new phases underway, L’Amara and Les Crozats, the developers will be implementing an environmental charter adopted in 2006, which has three main points of emphasis: the construction and planning phases, the reduction of the sources of pollution, and the further development of the resort. The ski lifts operator, SERMA, has obtained ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized environmental management system.

• zero-carbon

The objective of the new phase of development is to integrate renewable energies to supply 20% of the resort’s energy requirements, and to obtain standard THPE (Very Energy High efficiency) for all residential and commercial buildings.

• zero-waste

The impact of construction will be lessened through a ‘charter for green building sites’ pilot project that is being carried out within the framework of a partnership with WWF-France.

• sustainable water

The aim is to minimize the water requirements by the use of innovative equipment.

• local and sustainable building materials

The objective is to use local, raw, renewable or recycled materials as far as possible and to ensure the protection of natural spaces by limiting the extension to already arranged sectors (not comprising timbering, flora, or fauna).

• sustainable transport

The resort is car-free and all areas are accessible either on skis or by horse-drawn sleigh.