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Stories From the Trails: Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Hotels Embrace Smart and Sustainable Energy Swaps

Stories from the Trails is a series that shares learning and insights from our community, members and partners as we collectively take action towards the vision to Lead Tourism for Good. These stories inspire action, hope, and progress as we journey forward together in Banff and Lake Louise. This particular story embodies the Nature-Positive and Climate Action trail.

At Pursuit, sustainability is more than an operational goal, it’s about protecting the natural landscapes many call home while connecting guests to iconic places through unforgettable, inspiring experiences.

Last year, in Banff and Jasper, Pursuit invested close to $350,000 in energy efficiency projects including at the Elk + Avenue Hotel and Mount Royal Hotel, through the EcoFund, a fund established in partnership with GreenStep Solutions to support environmental-focused projects and initiatives.

Sustainable swaps included upgrading to LED lighting, purchasing energy-efficient appliances, conserving heat through pipe insulation, and upgrading to an air-cooled system. These initiatives enable both hotels to operate at a higher efficiency while reducing energy loss!

Rolling out and implementing these projects takes time and dedication. Although the scale of operations can feel overwhelming, the Pursuit team says they view these challenges as essential steps toward meaningful progress.

“Every step we take toward energy efficiency, no matter how big or small, is a step toward safeguarding these iconic landscapes for future generations,” shared Pursuit’s Operations Initiatives Manager Mireya Rubio. “To us, sustainability means ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to preserving the places we call home while also delivering meaningful guest experiences."

LED Lighting

In 2024, Pursuit completed 14 energy efficiency projects in Banff and Jasper, aimed at reducing energy consumption. Seven of these focused on LED retrofits (and four of them in Banff). Each hotel is unique and requires tailored solutions. In 2024, a comprehensive on-site energy assessment was conducted at each property to identify projects that would be suited to their specific needs and offer the strongest impact.

Mireya says Pursuit invested in LED lighting not only at their hotels in Banff but also at the Banff Gondola, their staff accommodations, office spaces, and two locations in Jasper. Collectively, these actions estimate an annual carbon emissions reduction of 2,610 tCO2e.

LED lighting reduces both energy consumption and carbon emissions, making it a simple yet impactful sustainability upgrade. But LED lights have other advantages, including cost efficiencies and creating an inviting ambiance.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and Heating Solutions

To further reduce Pursuit’s environmental footprint by eliminating energy waste, the company purchased energy-efficient appliances. In the realm of heating and cooling, at the Elk + Avenue Hotel, another $10,000 was invested in pipe insulation which significantly reduces heat loss. Additionally, at the Mount Royal Hotel, $7,000 was spent to replace the water-cooled system with a more efficient air-cooled system, saving between 12,960 and 17,280 liters of water per day!

A Greener Future

Sustainable swaps made in Pursuit's day-to-day operations are a meaningful step in reducing their environmental footprint and enhancing energy efficiency. “These projects are designed to help us move closer to our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, inline with Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan,” says Mireya.

Many of these projects don’t need to have big financial commitments, but when combined, they make a difference. For smaller businesses, even implementing just one of these sustainable changes can make a noticeable impact and set the foundation for a greener future.

Pursuit remains committed to implementing nature-positive solutions and continuously improve the approach to responsible hospitality. Through initiatives backed by the EcoFund and their Promise to Place commitment to stewardship, respect and community, they are investing in long-term sustainability projects to minimize the environmental impact of tourism.

Now, they’re exploring new data collection processes such as installing meters and submeters to get more accurate consumption data for water and energy – it will be inspiring to see how uncovered insights impact their sustainable decision making along the way. You can learn more about how Pursuit is protecting the Rockies, prioritizing people, and investing in the community here.

Lead Tourism for Good

Share your story! What initiatives are happening in your business or organization that support our shared vision for tourism? Email us! ltfg@banfflakelouise.com

Published 2025-02-03