Leogang mountain cable car company reduces CO2 values by 96 per cent

Greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045 is enshrined in Austria's Climate Protection Act. The Leogang mountain cable cars company (Leoganger Bergbahnen) want to achieve this goal earlier. This is already noticeable: Compared to winter 2022/23, the mountain cable cars company was able to reduce in-house CO2 levels by 96 per cent. Various measures are being implemented to achieve the ambitious overall goal of no longer generating any emissions from their own activities.

Fuel switch takes effect: mountain cable car fleet almost emission-free
In winter 2022, Leoganger Bergbahnen set itself the goal of avoiding more than 90 per cent of emissions from the Leogang mountain cable car fleet next winter. The result is impressive: Compared to the 2022/23 winter season, the mountain cable cars were even able to reduce emissions from the vehicle fleet by 96 per cent by using HVO100 regenerative fuel. In other words, instead of 605 tonnes of CO2 in 2023/24, it was only 24 tonnes. This means that the target set has already been exceeded.

Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen: ‘I am particularly pleased that Leoganger Bergbahnen was the first mountain cable car company in Austria to switch the entire fuel requirements of our snow groomers and vehicles to HVO100. The extremely large savings in CO2 emissions confirm our efforts and we will continue to pursue this path consistently.’ 

All results were analysed and reviewed by Dr Endrik Lengwenat / sustainable.at, an expert in sustainability reporting.

Commitment to sustainability in many areas
The decarbonisation of Leogang's mountain cable car operations is having an impact, but the company is also active and committed in other areas. The mountain cable cars company has been investing in projects for energy efficiency, sustainability and resource conservation since 2006. By participating in lighthouse projects such as ‘Clean Energy For Tourism’ (CE4T) or as the first cable car company partner for the ‘Climate and Energy Strategy Salzburg 2050’ initiative, sustainability is put into practice. The remaining in-house emissions are primarily caused by the use of biogenic energy sources to generate space heating (wood chip cogeneration plant). 100% green electricity is already used to operate the cable cars and snowmaking systems. 

Framework conditions for climate-friendly travel fulfilled
Saalfelden Leogang has also addressed the issues of climate-friendly travel and sustainable mobility and created a comprehensive range of local services. The Loigom-Soifen Shuttle with its on-demand service supplements the existing public transport network with electric buses and stops at various stops in Leogang. Regional ski bus routes have also been set up by the mountain cable cars. Furthermore, a total of 20 e-charging stations (including two fast chargers) are available at the Asitzbahn valley station and the Steinbergbahn valley station. 

One of the first regions to be awarded the Austrian Ecolabel
The fact that Saalfelden Leogang was recently certified with the Austrian Ecolabel for Destinations shows just how important the topic of sustainability is throughout the region. And as one of the first regions in the country to do so. The eco-label is proof of the destination's sustainable work to make Austrian tourism more sustainable. Measures in the areas of sustainability, waste management, mobility and resource management, among others, are assessed for the award of the independent seal of quality. The steps taken are already showing the first positive results. ‘The Leogang mountain cable cars have already achieved great success with the measures implemented. We are constantly working on making efforts in the area of sustainability in order to achieve the European goals at an early stage,’ says Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen.