PONANT Releases 2024 Sustainability Report: Charting a Clear Course Toward Net Zero and Positive Impact Cruising

Luxury expedition leader PONANT has unveiled its 2024 Sustainability Report, reaffirming its commitment to responsible exploration through the Blue Horizon strategy. The report details the company’s measurable progress toward decarbonisation, elimination of single-use plastics, and positive contributions to local communities and scientific research.

“Our 2024 Sustainability Report provides a clear picture of the progress we have made as well as the road ahead,” said Wassim Daoud, Head of CSR and Sustainability at PONANT Explorations Group. “We are taking concrete steps to reduce our environmental impact, support scientific research, and help local communities.”

Significant Progress in Decarbonisation

In 2024, PONANT achieved a 14% reduction in CO₂ emissions per cruise day compared to 2018—nearly halfway to its 2030 goal of a 30% reduction. This milestone reflects years of innovation in fleet energy efficiency and the adoption of cleaner, alternative energies.

Looking ahead, PONANT is advancing an ambitious Net Zero by 2050 program, anchored by its Swap2Zero project—a pioneering initiative co-funded by the European Union’s Innovation Fund (Emissions Trading System). This transoceanic vessel concept integrates six major decarbonisation technologies, aiming to deliver zero CO₂-equivalent emissions during operations.

Eliminating Single-Use Plastics and Managing Waste Responsibly

PONANT has reached a significant environmental benchmark by eliminating single-use plastics fleetwide, avoiding 20 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Complementing this, all ships now feature onboard systems that produce drinking water from seawater, reducing reliance on packaged water solutions.

Every vessel in the fleet now implements 100% onboard waste sorting, with active collaborations at port partnerships to achieve 50% waste recovery by 2026.

Supporting Local Communities Through Action

Beyond environmental stewardship, PONANT continues to empower local communities in the regions it visits. The state-of-the-art Le Commandant Charcot supports Inuit communities in Greenland, helping to shorten the region’s winter isolation period by a month through essential supply deliveries.

In the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin extends healthcare access by providing free medical consultations to residents of the Marquesas Islands and other remote Polynesian archipelagos—strengthening the link between exploration and humanitarian purpose.

A Responsible Future for Expedition Travel

With these achievements, PONANT reaffirms its leadership in sustainable luxury travel, proving that exploration and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The 2024 Sustainability Report not only celebrates progress but also highlights the company’s dedication to advancing climate innovation and community-driven initiatives—paving the way for a truly sustainable future at sea.