Latest Sustainability News: Setting Sail for Net Zero

Ponant is also aiming to sail a decarbonised ship by 2030. An exciting aspect of their approach is the multi-energy strategy, which could significantly exceed others' carbon savings. The small French cruise line is prioritising technical innovation over commercial concerns, investing heavily in R&D to create a fundamentally new cruise experience tailored to a market that they predict will likely change significantly. Awarded 'most environmentally friendly cruise line' by the Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in 2020, Ponant have made a commitment to minimise the environmental and social impact they have on the areas they visit, and are the first international cruise line to join the Green Marine environmental certification programme for the marine industry.

We can also expect to see more from Selar, a French expedition cruise line launching in 2026, whose 36-guest ship Captain Arctic is set to be 'close-to-zero', using solar power from 20,000 square feet of panels on five 35-metre-high sails.

Battery technology is also making waves. Operators like HX Expeditions are deploying hybrid ships combining batteries with traditional fuels (the line is also expanding the use of shore-side renewable power in ports such as Reykjavík) while Norwegian line Havila Voyages has outfitted its fleet with large-capacity batteries that can power vessels for several hours at a time, a feature particularly valuable when sailing through sensitive regions like Norway's fjords, where regulations will eventually ban non-zero-emission ships by 2032. The country has recently imposed stricter standards requiring hybrid propulsion systems and shore power connections for access to its fjords, effective from 1 January 2026, for smaller vessels under 10,000 gross tonnage.

Sustainability in the expedition cruise sector also continues to be shaped by tightening regulations, rapid technological innovation, and rising consumer demand for environmentally responsible travel. Companies are responding with comprehensive ESG reporting and long-term sustainability strategies, while the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) net-zero targets for 2050 are reshaping operations through new pricing mechanisms and emission penalties. The IMO's 2025 Standards - set to take effect in 2027 - will enforce deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Expedition travellers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly voyages, prompting members of the Expedition Cruise Network to adopt ambitious sustainability programmes and publish detailed ESG reports. The message is clear: in this sector, sustainability has become a baseline expectation.

Regulatory frameworks are accelerating change across the wider cruise industry as well. The European Union's Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime initiative are making fossil fuel dependence more expensive, while destinations like the aforementioned Norway and the Galápagos are setting strict limits on ship emissions and passenger numbers.

The long-term goal is ambitious: net-zero carbon cruising by 2050, supporting the long-term objectives of the EU Green Deal. If the industry maintains its current momentum going forward, the target may well be within reach.