Travelbiz E-Zine
5
March
2024

PONANT Is the First Maritime Cruise Line to Achieve Green Globe Certification

All PONANT ships have just obtained Green Globe certification. An international standard for travel and tourism stakeholders, the certification is recognition of PONANT’S commitment to more responsible tourism.

“Green Globe certification, a global tourism industry standard, is a key element of our commitment to ensuring accountability for our actions. It’s important for our guests and also for continuing to encourage the whole maritime sector to realise its environmental transition,” explains Wassim Daoud, Head of CSR and Sustainability at PONANT. He continues: “What sets this certification apart is that it is based on continuous improvement. While our goal this year was to obtain it, the major challenge in the coming years will be to keep it”.

Green Globe certification has been awarded to all four Sisterships in the Le Boréal series, the six PONANT Explorers, Le Commandant Charcot and the sailing yacht Le Ponant. This result rewards the commitment of all PONANT teams over the past several years to reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to more sustainable tourism.

Since 2019, the entire fleet has been using Low-Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LS-MGO) which has a sulphur content below 0.05%,

13 times lower than current maritime standards, significantly limiting its atmospheric impact. PONANT was the world’s first cruise line to abandon heavy fuel oil and support international authorities advocating for the extension of Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) to all oceans, like the Rome Declaration.

In pursuing the same goal to reduce air emissions, PONANT has also undertaken to equip its entire  fleet with catalytic systems to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and shore power connection systems in ports, which means engines can be switched off. Both these technologies will be fully deployed by the end of 2026. PONANT has set itself a target to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% per cruise day by 2030, compared to 2018.

The company has also made great strides in reducing  waste  production. A strategy of gradually phasing out single-use plastics has been implemented since 2021. This has been notably realised through the deployment of Nordaq filtration units for onboard production of drinking water from seawater. It is then distributed via water fountains or in recyclable glass bottles, facilitated by an onboard encapsulation chain. In 2022, this strategy meant that nearly 390,000 single-use bottles, that’s five tonnes of plastic, were avoided (compared to 2019). The company has also reviewed all its onboard operations to eliminate other sources of plastic waste and continues to pursue its zero single-use plastic objective in 2024.

PONANT pays close attention to its impact on local communities and strives to build connections with people that go beyond business exchanges. A scouting mission in the Bijagos archipelago in Guinea Bissau resulted in a programme to rebuild the school in Anipoc village on Caravela island, funded by the PONANT Foundation. This isolated area has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1996. After meeting the ESCAMA Foundation, which has been working with the locals for several years, PONANT teams decided to get involved in a project that would make a real difference to the school’s hundred pupils and around 200 adults who are now benefiting from literacy programmes. In addition to the construction work, the PONANT Foundation is also funding teachers’ salaries while the community gets organised to provide them with on-site support. Much emphasis is also placed on eco-responsible management of the school, including sorting and recycling waste, having access to clean drinking water and solar-generated electricity.

Green Globe an internationally recognised standard

Launched in 1998, the Green Globe International Standard for Sustainable Travel and Tourism is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It assesses  the sustainability of business operations  based  on 44 criteria and 380 indicators organised  around  four pillars: sustainable  management,   social and  economic  performance,  cultural  heritage  and  the environment. Green Globe is an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organization. The certification process is carried out every year by an accredited independent auditor.

Subscribe to our E-Zine

    More

    from latest edition

    Up to 25% Off plus Complimentary Amenity of Your Choice with Oceania Cruises
    14th February 2025

    Up to 25% Off plus Complimentary Amenity of Your Choice with Oceania Cruises

    Up to 25% Off plus Complimentary Amenity of Your Choice with Oceania Cruises

    Read more
    YOLO, Fly SOLO: United Airlines Shares How Travelers Can Treat Themselves Ahead of National Plan a Solo Vacation Day
    13th February 2025

    YOLO, Fly SOLO: United Airlines Shares How Travelers Can Treat Themselves Ahead of National Plan a Solo Vacation Day

    This love-filled February, solo travel is on the rise and United is sharing travel hacks, popular destinations and app features to empower adventurers to get ready for National Plan a Solo Vacat...

    Read more
    IAG Hires Heiko Heidusch as Senior Vice President of Strategic Airline Partnerships
    13th February 2025

    IAG Hires Heiko Heidusch as Senior Vice President of Strategic Airline Partnerships

    Heidusch joins IAG from Lufthansa Group and will lead IAG’s strategic partnerships team, reporting into Chief Commercial Strategy Officer, Julio Rodriguez. International Airlines Group (IAG) has...

    Read more
    Dubai Sees 14% Surge in UK Visitors, Welcoming 1.33 Million in 2024
    13th February 2025

    Dubai Sees 14% Surge in UK Visitors, Welcoming 1.33 Million in 2024

    In yet another remarkable annual performance, Dubai welcomed 1,327,000 UK visitors from January to December 2024, a 14% year-over-year increase that surpasses the previous year of 1,169,000 in 2...

    Read more
    Windstar Cruises’ Flagship Sailing Yacht Wind Surf Unveils Redesigned Public Spaces & New Suites
    13th February 2025

    Windstar Cruises’ Flagship Sailing Yacht Wind Surf Unveils Redesigned Public Spaces & New Suites

    Windstar’s flagship sailing yacht reveals the first stage of its refurbishment with refreshed public spaces, dining venues, and suites. Windstar Cruises’ flagship vessel, Wind Surf, has unveiled...

    Read more
    Crystal Sets New Standard: Faster Commission Payments for Travel Advisors
    13th February 2025

    Crystal Sets New Standard: Faster Commission Payments for Travel Advisors

    Crystal, the leader in exceptional cruise experiences, has announced that it is redefining the way the brand supports its valued travel advisors with an unprecedented approach to commission paym...

    Read more