I've recently caught up with Jos Dewing, MD for EMEA region at AE Expeditions in anticipation of our forthcoming webinar session on Sustainability and Responsible travel in the context of Expedition Cruising that will take place on the 28th of June. One of our expedition cruise operator members, this Australian company has ambitious goals when it comes to sustainability and travelling responsibly in the fragile regions its expedition ships travel to. Read on to learn how they plan to achieve them.
Jos, tell us about AE Expeditions.
AE Expeditions is part of Aurora Expeditions, an award-winning, Australian-owned expedition company pioneering experiential travel for over 32 years. A leader in polar expeditions, Aurora is deeply committed to environmentally respectful travel to preserve the beauty and majesty of the pristine locations we visit, and we take real actions for the care of the planet.
Founded on the guiding principles of adventure and endless exploration, the small ship experience is intimate and friendly. AE Expeditions takes travellers on perspective-altering experiences to some of the most remote and incredible places on the planet via our purpose-built ships the Greg Mortimer and the recently launched Sylvia Earle.
AE Expeditions’ ‘Sustainability in Action’ is a complex program that ensures company’s commitment to have minimal impact on the environment the ships are travelling to – what are its key pillars?
We recognise the significant environmental, social and economic challenges facing our business, our industry and the destinations we visit, and we are acutely aware of the planet’s rapidly evolving climate crisis and the urgency with which we must all play a part in addressing our environmental footprint. Our Sustainability In Action program, is a comprehensive and ever-evolving plan for AE Expeditions to contribute to minimizing our impact on the planet based around four key pillars:
· Minimal Footprint
o 100% Climate Neutral via a partnership with South Pole – annual recertification
o Revolutionary Ulstein X-Bow® design on ships – reduced fuel consumption
o Responsible travel ashore: care for the places we visit
· Education & Enrichment
o Participative Citizen Science Program via a partnership with Polar Citizen Science Collective
o Women in conservation program and opportunities to give back
o Unmatched knowledge from our Expedition Team and special guests
o Creating ambassadors for the planet
· People & Community
o Volunteering for the environment
o Forming strategic partnerships (Dr Sylvia Earle, Ocean Geographic, South Pole, Polar Citizen Science Collective, Upschool and more)
· Environmental Management Systems
o Efficient energy, water and waste management
o Reduced single-use plastics
o Eco-friendly products and cleaning on board
o Eco-friendly supplies in each office
AE Expeditions is one of the first expedition cruise companies aiming to achieve B Corp status in 2024 – how did this come about?
We have demonstrated our commitment to the health of the planet via our Sustainability in Action Plan, taking responsibility to offset our carbon footprint in meaningful ways with planet-first partners.
B-Corp Certification is now part of our overall Plan. We are currently working towards our certification. We are in the Evaluation Stage, a comprehensive review of our actions and practices. This is followed by the Verification Stage with expectations for this to be completed by the end of this year, 2023.
In preparation for B-Corp Certification and to add to our transparency and accountability, we have also introduced an annual Sustainability Report with the first Report for 2022-2023 being released in June 2023. This inaugural report marks the first comprehensive review of our company’s purpose, vision and values, along with the many initiatives we are doing to care for our extraordinary planet.
In addition to progress current initiatives and achievements, we have future goals, which include implementing a global sustainable food program, working with regional producers who align with our passion for sustainable farming practices. In honour of Dr Earle and her abiding commitment to the conservation of our oceans, we have a dedicated Sustainable Sea Day on day six of every voyage on board the Sylvia Earle, eliminating seafood from the menu for that day.
Our portfolio of sustainability programs, actions and measures have the overarching goal of reducing negative impacts on the environment and communities and contributing to building a more sustainable world for future generations.
Your second ship is called ‘Sylvia Earle’ – can you please tell us who Sylvia Earle is, why this name, and how else AE expeditions is celebrating female explorers and conservationists?
We are honoured to name our latest purpose-built small ship, the Sylvia Earle after Dr Sylvia Earle.
Dr Earle is a world-renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, and explorer. She was the first female Chief Scientist of the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and a National Geographic explorer-in-residence since 1998. Named by Time magazine as its first ‘Hero of the Planet’, her own conservation initiative, Mission Blue is creating a global network of marine protected areas known as ‘Hope Spots’ (which we travel to 11 of these).
In a world-first, through our ground-breaking Women In Conservation program, we champion renowned women in conservation with each public deck of the Sylvia Earle named after six pioneering female conservationists – Jo Ruxton (MBE), Sharon Kwok, Bernadette Demientieff, Dr Asha de Vos, Hanli Prinsloo and Dr Carden Wallace (AM) – with a deck dedicated to Dr Earle – all inspiring leaders in their fields and working tirelessly to make the world a better place.
Our Special Guest program also features highly respected female explorers, conservationists, and photographers such as UK history and archaeology broadcaster and keen birder, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Australian ocean yacht sailor and adventurer, Lisa Blair, who recently circumnavigated Antarctica single-handedly.
Many expedition cruising companies engage in citizen science projects onboard, and AE Expeditions is no exception. Please give us an overview of how AE Expeditions’ guests contribute to science onboard your ships.
Travel is always the best educator and we offer the chance to enrich our passengers’ curiosity and expand their knowledge and understanding of the places we travel to, on and off-ship. There is no better learning opportunity than being in the field with the experts.
Our Expedition Team’s extensive knowledge and experience is imperative for ensuring passengers have an immersive, fascinating, enjoyable and safe expedition. Education and enrichment are at the centre of our experience, our Team has always been about sharing their knowledge and insights so that our travellers leave richer than they did when they came on board.
Designed to enhance this experience, our participative Citizen Science Program is an interactive forum of like-minded travellers to share new discoveries and deepen their connection to the natural world in a relaxed, informal and fun environment – both on board our ships, on our fascinating shore expeditions and in our Zodiacs.
The program gives passengers an opportunity to participate in seven expert-led projects that contribute to major science, conservation and environmental programs worldwide focusing on whales, seabirds, microplastics, weather patterns, phytoplankton, polar fjordlands and marine biodiversity via our partnership with Polar Citizen Science Collective – each has been hand-picked for their ground-breaking work and global achievements.
The program’s popularity is due to its ability to practically guide, teach, and demonstrate to an average of 132 expeditioners how they actively play a role in the health of the planet. Passengers can make a difference as they provide invaluable data to the scientific community by taking part.
Our aim is for each of our passengers to become an ambassador for the protection of our majestic but fragile blue planet, when they return home by sharing what they have learned.
According to various industry reports, sustainability will play an increasingly important role in clients’ decision which company to choose for their travel experiences. What is your advice for travel consultants who would like to understand more about sustainability and responsible travel in the context of expedition cruising?
Travellers care more than ever about making responsible choices.
Travellers are very mindful of the impact they are having on the places they visit and wish to tread lightly. There is a desire to give back instead of taking; to immerse themselves in their holidays and contribute to the improvement of the locations and communities. Understanding the difference in experiences offered and matching your clients’ with responsible operations is recommended.
Education and enrichment are at the centre of our experience. We offer authentic expeditions that are fascinating, informative and illuminating, all in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere where making new connections is easy. Our passengers benefit from a comprehensive range of activities and engaging lectures on board from history, science and photography to how to behave in the environment and interact with wildlife and in communities. Our small-ship passenger numbers enable us to offer multiple excursions off our ships each day. If your clients are curious and want to be involved and immersed in their voyage, then small-ship expedition travel will be ideal for them.
We are a purpose-driven company and as part of our mission to create lifelong ambassadors for the planet, we ensure our positive impact travel ethos is visible to help travellers make meaningful choices when booking.
Also being in partnership with strong sustainably focused, global partners and leaders, including AECO, IAATO, Mission Blue, Deep Hope, Upschool, The Polar Collective, South Pole, Greg Mortimer and Dr Sylvia Earle reinforces our purpose and commitments.
Thank you, Jos.
To learn more about AE Expeditions, the destinations their ships travel to, and to contact their sales team please click here.
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