Arthur De Jong, Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) environmental resource manager, has been recognized for his contributions to “sustainability and clean capitalism” by being named one of Canada’s Clean50 for 2016.
The Clean50 Awards are handed out annually by Toronto-based search firm Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization as a way to honour the contributions of corporate sustainability leaders over the past two years.
Awards are handed out in 16 different categories, and De Jong was recognized in the Retail & Customer Goods & Services Category.
“I am honoured and humbled to be named among Canada’s Clean50 for 2016,” De Jong said in a release. “Although this is an individual recognition, it is a direct reflection of the commitment and support of the staff at Whistler Blackcomb and the entire Whistler community to reduce our environmental footprint and help stabilize our climate.”
De Jong has led the charge on the mountain in addressing climate change while working to reduce Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental footprint. The longstanding goal for the ski resort has been to eventually transform its mountain operation into a zero-operating footprint. While that goal is still a ways off, De Jong has also been instrumental in cutting Whistler Blackcomb’s overall waste output by 70 per cent over the past decade.
De Jong also has his eye set on driving fossil fuel emissions even lower with recent technological advances in grooming, which account for the bulk of WB’s on-mountain emissions.
Another key environmental initiative at Whistler Blackcomb has been partnering with stakeholders in the Fitzsimmons Creek Renewable Energy Project, a run-of-river hydro plant that returns the same amount of energy WB consumes annual to the grid.
Part of the Clean50 Awards’ mandate is to not only recognize sustainability leaders, but connect them with others in different sectors to collaboratively address environmental issues currently facing the country. Honourees are selected by Delta, with the help of third-party advisors.
”Delta’s criteria in determining honourees is to consider carefully actual measurable accomplishments, demonstrated innovation, collaboration with other organizations, and the power of the honouree’s contribution to inspire other Canadians to take similar action,” said the Delta Management Group’s Gavin Pitchfor in a release. “Arthur was chosen after rigorous screening and research by Delta Management, with advice from internal researchers and external advisors, and was among honourees selected from an initial pool of over 550 well qualified nominees.”
For the full list of winners, visit www.clean50.com.
