By
Alex Smith |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has launched a range of new sustainability initiatives, in tandem with parent company The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) 5-year strategy, titled ‘How We Tread Right’.
The river cruise line’s strategy includes 11 sustainability goals, including targets to reduce 50 per cent of food waste by 2025; increase use of local and organic food products by 2025; achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 or sooner; eliminate the use of single-use plastic; switching to renewable energy; and offering guests sustainable ‘Make Travel Matter’ experiences.
A recent impact report from TTC details Uniworld’s progress against the ‘How We Tread Right’ goals.
“Our mission with Uniworld’s sustainability goals is to create a positive change through action with science-based targets, tackling everything from food waste reduction, supporting developing destinations and utilising local suppliers,” said Julie Higgins, sustainability officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “Being the first river cruise line to publish an Impact Report is not only a true testament to our dedication to these goals but ensures that we’ll transparently be monitoring in order to openly report on our progress with the environment and make actionable commitments for future impact.”
Among the initiatives highlighted by the report are the trial of a new partnership with Leanpath, a food waste management system provider, on its ship Antoinette. The trial resulted in a food waste reduction of 15 per cent over a period of three months. The system is now being rolled out, with the aim of covering half of the cruise line’s fleet by the end of 2022.
“With the recent release of the sustainability strategy, ‘How We Tread Right,’ and the progress made with new partners such as Leanpath, we are making good on our long-term commitment to truly understand and reduce our impact,” said Higgins. “I want our guests to know they can enjoy the luxury of world exploration while making a positive impact on communities, with a company that prioritises reducing its environmental impact. It is this passion for doing right by the people and land that we touch that makes Uniworld special to me and to every passenger who comes onboard.”