Hurtigruten Group recently launched its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. The adventure travel group emphasized that reducing emissions must be top priority for travel companies, and called for greater transparency in the industry, especially from cruise operators.
“We operate in an industry which negatively impacts the environment, so we have a collective responsibility to be more transparent and accountable when it comes to our natural and social impact. Sustainability is not a marketing exercise, it’s a core part of business. It’s a license to operate and more importantly, it’s the right thing to do,” said Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten Group.
The 2021 ESG report outlines Hurtigruten’s data on emissions, social responsibility and commitments to science-based targets. It reveals how the group’s three business areas—Hurtigruten Norway, Hurtigruten Expeditions and Hurtigruten Svalbard—achieved their own ESG milestones in 2021.
Last year, Hurtigruten Expeditions launched its third battery-hybrid ship MS Otto Sverdrup while MS Fridtjof Nansen was named the world’s most sustainable ship by Scope ESG and Stern magazine. Additionally, Hurtigruten Norway initiated plans to launch Europe’s most environmentally friendly fleet upgrade to reduce emissions by 25 percent and NoX by 80 percent, while Hurtigruten Svalbard partnered with Volvo Penta to develop it first hybrid day cruiser.
The report offers a detailed review of Hurtigruten Group’s trajectory towards sustainable travel in the future. Highlights include its intention to launch the first zero-emission ship on the Norwegian coast by 2030, have fully carbon neutral operations by 2040 and ultimately becoming emission free by 2050.
All these milestones recognize the importance of solid governance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility for the group’s long-term business strategy and creating value for investors.
“I am extremely proud of our colleagues both at land and sea for achieving many other ESG successes despite operating in a pandemic. We have been a first mover on sustainability for decades, and we will continue to be a catalyst for change towards a greener travel industry - to protect what we love today, tomorrow and into the future,” Skjeldam added.
Hurtigruten Group’s ESG report for 2021 was developed in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard.
For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com.
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