Aurora Expeditions achieves carbon neutral certification

By Alexandra Coulton

Aussie adventure cruise line Aurora Expeditions is now 100 per cent carbon neutral.

This milestone was an integral part of the company’s long-term sustainability strategy and was achieved in partnership with South Pole, a leading emission reductions project developer and global climate action expert.

To gain South Pole Climate Neutral Company certification, Aurora checked off a combination of sustainability initiatives across its business operations.

In a three-step plan in partnership with South Pole, Aurora will calculate all GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions across its business operations annually, then compensate for these emissions by purchasing carbon credits from climate action projects.

“For more than 30 years, Aurora Expeditions has been deeply committed to responsible and respectful travel,” CEO Monique Ponfoort said.

“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.”

Aurora Expeditions has chosen to support two climate action projects: InfraVest Tongyuan Wind Farm, a renewable energy project in northwest Taiwan harnessing wind power; and Mount Sandy Conservation on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, which promotes conservation partnerships between the traditional Ngarrindjeri landowners and non-Indigenous Australians through conservation work.

The latter ensures permanent protection of a regionally and culturally important pocket of biodiversity-rich land, where flora and fauna flourish undisturbed, with native plants supplied by the nursery at Raukkan Aboriginal community, a self-governed Indigenous community 50 kilometres northwest of the project site.

Raukkan community members are also employed for onsite works, including vegetation monitoring, fencing, and pest and weed control.

“We plan to accelerate meaningful changes in our active care programs that will make a lasting difference for our people, our expeditions and importantly the future of our planet,” Ponfoort said.

Aurora has committed to creating a positive impact by building both a guest and staff legacy for the benefit of the planet, deepening its connection and understanding of the places it visits, guest education through onboard lectures and participative citizen science programs, creating a new sustainable food program and championing women in conservation.

Featured image source: Aurora Expeditions/Scott Portelli

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