Svalbard grant to AECO will go to reduce expedition cruise emissions

'Even though our industry is not a major contributor on a global scale, it's still our responsibility to mitigate our impact,' said Melissa Nacke, AECO’s head of operations, who manages the association's climate change project. 'Since we operate where climate change is happening three times as fast as the global average, we also see the impact of it so profoundly.'

Members will commit to emissions reduction targets

The funding will be used to develop a climate strategy that commits AECO members to emissions reduction targets with guidance on how to meet them. The strategy will also involve members in greenhouse gas audits.

'We are in the early stages of this project that aims for net zero emissions from the expedition cruise industry and this funding is a great help for us to continue to promote the practice of environmentally responsible private‐sector travel,' AECO Executive Director Frigg Jørgensen said.

First stage: Members' survey

The project's first stage will include a survey to gather information from expedition cruise operators on their current emissions and reduction goals. The results will help AECO get a better understanding of the current status of members’ climate action efforts and identify what could accelerate the industry’s collective approach to climate change.

A total of 9m Norwegian kroner from Svalbard Environmental Fund was handed out to 27 projects among 44 applicants. The fund is supported by the environmental fee that all visitors to Svalbard pay.

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