Reporting Methodology
Xanterra has applied the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) principle of materiality to this report. GRI’s definition of materiality says, "information in the report should cover issues and indicators that would substantively influence the decision of the stakeholders using the report." Xanterra expects those users to be: visitors to national and state parks; sustainability professionals; our suppliers, contractors and vendors; all Xanterra employees and the executive management team; the National Park Service (NPS) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources; state and federal regulatory agencies; and tourism industry professionals.
Though we used GRI as a guide for development of this report, we found that, as a medium-sized private company, many of the GRI indicators were not relevant to Xanterra. Other indicators were arguably material, but beyond our ability to measure at the present time. As a result, we followed the GRI principles and specific indicators to the extent that we were able. For example, as a privately held company, Xanterra does not report any financial data publicly. Instead, Xanterra has focused this report on GRI’s environmental performance indicators (presented in the Environmental Performance section of this report) and has included other GRI indicators such as company vision and strategy; organizational profile; report scope; report profile; structure and governance; stakeholder engagement; and overarching policies and management systems.
The format of the Environmental Performance section of this report aims to present multiple years of data for each environmental aspect and area of impact, interpret that data, then give specific examples of projects, programs, and initiatives that affect that data – for better or worse.
Scope of this Report
Xanterra’s environmental impact is presented using comprehensive data collected from every aspect of its operations across the United States. This report tracks our environmental performance and initiatives based upon seven years of Ecometrix data from calendar years 2000-2006 and also includes details on several new programs that began in 2007. This report also addresses Xanterra’s initial endeavors into social performance outlined in the Social Responsibility section.
For more information about Xanterra Parks & Resorts, visit www.xanterra.com. Additional reports can be requested by calling Xanterra’s Environmental Affairs department at 303-600-3400.
Verification of this Report
Auditing Ecometrix and Environmental Management Systems
For Xanterra’s last Sustainability Report, environmental performance metrics (Ecometrix) were third-party audited for accuracy by KPMG Performance Registrars, Inc., an international auditing firm. That assessment confirmed that Xanterra’s data was, in fact, accurate. However, the auditing process was time consuming and expensive, resulting in the report being developed much later in the calendar year than desired. After analyzing alternative auditing protocols conducted in the reporting world, Xanterra concluded that an internal audit would provide an equally accurate assessment of Ecometrix data in a timely and cost-effective fashion.
Audit Protocol:
For this 2008 report, Xanterra’s internal audit team, lead by Xanterra’s internal ISO 14001 auditor, sampled 15 percent of all data points within the Ecometrix system. Data was selected via a random sampling process. Analysis was conducted utilizing utility bills, waste hauling fees, and purchasing receipts. Raw data along with calculations and conversion factors were audited for accuracy.
Audit Results:
The audit team found 81 percent of data to be 100 percent accurate. The remaining 19 percent were within +/- 1.0 percent of the reported numbers. Based on this analysis, the audit team is confident the information provided within this report is accurate and reliable.
Other Verification:
Measurement, tracking, and verification protocols are critical to real, tangible environmental performance improvement. Therefore, Xanterra has had numerous external parties audit and examine its Ecometrix data and environmental management systems. In 2006, this included an all-day EMS audit conducted by a team of consultants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (see Environmental Policies and Management section of this report).
ABS Quality Evaluations, an EMS registrar, conducts Xanterra’s external ISO 14001 surveillance and certification audits. During these audits, Ecometrix data and adherence to the ISO 14001 standards are analyzed for progress and accuracy.
Through all of this analysis, our Ecometrix tracking system methodologies and our EMSs have remained consistent and data has proven to be accurate.