By
Alex Smith |
Ponant has published its first annual sustainability report, demonstrating its progress along its Blue Horizon roadmap.
According to the report, 90 per cent of Ponant’s research and development budget is focused on the improvement of its ship’s technical and environmental performance, with the aim of minimising emissions into both the air and water. The cruise line has also reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 6 per cent compared to 2019 according to its research.
All water used onboard Ponant’s ships is now separated and sorted, with 60 per cent of it being recycled. By 2026, this recovery rate is expected to rise to up to 80 percent in conjunction with specialised channels onshore. Ponant has also eliminated single-use plastics across its fleet as of 2022, and all of its ships have earned the Cleanship certification issued by Bureau Veritas in recognition of their ecological performance.
In February 2022, Ponant made six founding commitments that form its Blue Horizon roadmap, which is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The roadmap included aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15 per cent by 2026 and 30 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019; ensure reuse and traceability of all waste by 2025; embark scientific research teams onboard its polar exploration ship Le Commandant Charcot; support the international Blue Nature Alliance project; and to meet the standards for a Sulphur Emission Control Area across the entire world onboard all ships in its fleet by 2025.
“We see ourselves as having a responsibility to our guests, our employees, and local communities to promote meaningful voyages,” said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant. “We aim to decarbonise our cruises, reduce atmospheric emissions, eliminate plastics, recover waste, protect biodiversity, support scientific research aboard our ships, and strengthen our partnerships with local communities. This first annual report presents the results in figures.”
Read the full Ponant sustainability report here.