By
Alex Smith |
Expedition cruise company Aurora Expeditions has received Carbon Neutral Company certification from consultants South Pole. Covering the company’s operations, the label recognises Aurora Expeditions’ efforts to reduce and offset its emissions.
“For more than 30 years, Aurora Expeditions has been deeply committed to responsible and respectful travel,” said Monique Ponfoort, CEO of Aurora Expeditions. “As one of the world’s leading polar expedition operators, we are always seeking ways to innovate, educate and create a positive impact for our planet, and we will continue our active sustained efforts to help preserve the beauty and majesty that Mother Nature possesses.”
The certification has been achieved through the development of a three-step plan in partnership with South Pole. Aurora Expeditions calculates all greenhouse gas emissions across its business operations annually and then compensates for these emissions by purchasing carbon credits from climate action projects, as well as setting guaranteed goals, targets and timelines for its emission reduction and sustainability programmes.
Aurora has chosen to support two climate action projects as part of this plan. InfraVest Tongyuan Wind Farm is a renewable energy project in northwest Taiwan harnessing wind power, while Mount Sandy Conservation on South Australia’s Limestone Coast is a biodiversity conservation project which promotes partnerships between the traditional Ngarrindjeri landowners and non-Indigenous Australians to protect the local birds, animals and plants.
“We plan to accelerate meaningful changes in our active care programmes that will make a lasting difference for our people, our expeditions and importantly the future of our planet,” said Ponfoort.