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.

Located in four hectares of parkland and with bay views from most apartments, the new homes will be constructed using high energy efficient construction techniques (actual building of homes, landscape design, position of the buildings etc.) so that they will require up to 20 times less energy than traditional local buildings in the area.

• zero-carbon

Solar and PV panels will provide hot water and also contribute to the resort’s energy and electricity needs; a small cogeneration system will respond to the wellness area and business centre’s energy requirements. Well-insulated, the homes will have almost no heating and cooling systems except a very advanced device to replace internal air (either cooling or heating) to absorb climate peaks.

• zero-waste

Waste will be separated in accordance with the programme available locally.

• sustainable water

There is a provision for the creation of storage for white and grey water, which would be used for the irrigation of the park and the gardens

• local and sustainable building materials

Local materials are chosen where available, such as the stone used to finish walls and parts of the buildings that is from a local quarry. Local techniques and labour will be used where possible.

• sustainable transport

Electric bicycles and other electric vehicles (including Segway) are being investigated to prevent cars from being permitted within 10 minutes’ drive of houses.