Andermatt Responsible 2024 Progress Report: Broad-based sustainability strategy and ambitious ESG goals of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG

The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG have already achieved or exceeded the majority of the sustainability targets they defined back in 2021. Since 2022, the Andermatt Responsible Board, as the overarching strategic supervisory body for the environment, social affairs and good corporate governance (ESG), has taken the lead in target setting. This is based on a materiality analysis of the two corporate groups. The Andermatt Responsible Board was reorganised in 2024, so as to promote ESG efforts across the entire destination and ensure the flow of information with the Boards of Directors of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG.

Ambitious sustainability goals

The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG aim to become climate-neutral in their operations¹, increase visitor and employee satisfaction and achieve sustainable profitability. Visitor satisfaction has increased significantly compared to the previous year. Indeed, the Net Promoter Score, an indicator of customer satisfaction and loyalty, was 64 compared to 58 in 2023. In contrast, the objective of becoming climate-neutral by 2030 was considered too ambitious. 2040 was identified as being more realistic for achieving the net-zero target. Over the course of 2025, the Andermatt Responsible Board will validate this timeframe and simultaneously review the materiality analysis developed in 2021 for all sustainability goals.

As Chair of the Andermatt Responsible Board and member of the Board of Directors of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, it is Barbara Heller who is shaping the sustainability strategy. “I’m proud of what we have already achieved in such a short period of time,” she states. “We want to continue to lead by example in Andermatt and, in collaboration with our partners throughout the destination, drive the ESG initiatives forward.”

Lower greenhouse gas emissions

The total 2024 emissions of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG amounted to 46,340.2 tCO2e2, which is around eight per cent less than in the previous year. This decrease is due to a slight reduction in construction and rebuilding activities. As in the past, greenhouse gas emissions from upstream and downstream activities (scope 3) accounted for the majority of emissions in 2024 and 95.7 per cent of total emissions. Indirect emissions (scope 2) increased slightly compared to the previous year (+10.3 tCO2e), but are still extremely low at 150.1 tCO2e. This is because the electricity and heat supply in all new buildings are climate-neutral, and the cableway facilities are powered by CO2e-neutral electricity. Greenhouse gas emissions from operations were over six per cent lower in 2024 than in the previous year. A large proportion of the printed products and all business flights of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG were offset. As a partner of Wald und Klima Ursern, the Ursern Forest and Climate Association, the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group is also investing in a reforestation project in the area, a local carbon reduction initiative.

Reduced fuel consumption, focus on waste and energy efficiency

Overall, the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG used fewer fossil fuels and consumed less energy for heating and cooling in 2024 than in the previous year. Electricity and water consumption increased, and more waste was sent for incineration. This was primarily due to the generally higher number of visitors and higher hotel occupancy rates.

The restaurants of Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG have again implemented several food waste projects and trained employees in waste separation, reduction and prevention. Moreover, an electronic collection pass has been launched for the “Klimalieblinge” (climate favourites), the restaurants’ meat-free signature dishes that have lower greenhouse gas footprints.

The companies of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG have continued to invest in reducing energy consumption. For instance, The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu Reussen hotels, as well as Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG, have implemented various operational changes and modernised their infrastructure. Andermatt Swiss Alps has also optimised the energy efficiency of one of its office buildings, thereby saving electricity and heat. In addition, Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG has performed engine measurements to determine the ideal operating speed for its cableways, resulting in reduced electricity consumption.

Programmes and training for a diverse workforce

The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG employ around 1,100 people from 51 different countries, with Swiss nationals making up the largest share of the workforce at 47 per cent. Women account for 38 per cent of the workforce, and 27 individuals are apprentices or trainees. The companies promote internal and external training and continued professional development, regularly providing their employees with training on compliance issues, data protection management, IT security, etc. In the growing and popular destination, ensuring sufficient accommodation for employees is a priority. The wide range of social and cultural events for employees, such as clean-up days, participation in sporting activities or the joint season kick-off, all offer opportunities for on-site networking.

Andermatt Responsible

The Andermatt Responsible initiative champions climate-friendly tourism in the Andermatt region. The aim is to facilitate tourism operations in such a way that preserves resources. The 2024 Andermatt Responsible Progress Report provides an overview of the sustainability strategies and initiatives of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG, the key environmental indicators, the status of target achievement, the companies’ contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the current ESG projects.

*All calculated emissions are included in the operating figures, except for investments.

**Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) is a measure used to compare the emissions of different types of greenhouse gas based on their global warming potential (GWP). The CO₂ equivalent for a gas is calculated by multiplying the amount of the gas concerned in metric tonnes with its GWP. For example, the GWP value for methane is 25 and for nitrous oxide it is 298. This means that the emissions of one million tonnes of methane and nitrous oxide correspond to the emissions of 25 million tonnes and 298 million tonnes of carbon dioxide respectively. Sources: Global Reporting Initiative and Eurostat.