WHY IT RATES: Uniworld published its first report detailing progress against its 11 sustainability goals. -Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has released its inaugural Impact Report, detailing progress against its 11 sustainability goals set forth in tandem with parent company The Travel Corporation's (TTC) 5-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right. Being the first river cruise line to publish an Impact Report, Uniworld seeks to shape a brighter future for the river cruise industry, along with the local people and communities they visit.
"Our mission with Uniworld's sustainability goals is to create a positive change through action with science-based targets, tackling everything from food waste reduction, supporting developing destinations, and utilizing local suppliers," said Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. "Being the first river cruise line to publish an Impact Report is not only a true testament to our dedication to these goals but ensures that we'll transparently be monitoring to openly report on our progress with the environment and make actionable commitments for future impact."
This report, and future Impact Reports, give transparent insight into the positive impacts Uniworld has made, relating to sustainable food production, travel experiences, responsible consumption, and more.
Uniworld's progress against its sustainability goals includes:
Goal: Reduce Food Waste by 50 Percent Across all Ships by 2025
Uniworld has completed a successful trial of Leanpath, a food waste management system, on its ship, the S.S. Antoinette. The trial resulted in a food waste reduction of 15 percent over a period of three months. Rollout of the system will begin in 2022 and is scheduled to be introduced to five more ships, covering half its fleet by the close of the year.
Goal: Increase Use of Local and Organic Food Products by Its Supply Chain by 2025
In 2021, the Uniworld team evaluated all food and beverage suppliers to identify local and organic suppliers. Uniworld adjusted its definition of "local" as follows: any produce sourced within a 30-50 mile radius of the riverbank along the itinerary on which it is prepared. To date, Uniworld's onboard culinary team utilizes 57 percent from local suppliers and 36 percent from organic suppliers, with the actionable goal to increase that percentage for 2022.
Goal: Include at Least One MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience on 50 Percent of Itineraries by 2025
In an ongoing commitment of conscious and sustainable travel, Uniworld has taken a pledge to "Make Travel Matter" by transforming exploration into positive change. Currently, 31 percent of Uniworld's itineraries include at least one 'Make Travel Matter' experience, on itineraries throughout India, Europe and the Middle East. These experiences are carefully chosen to directly advance the United Nation's Global Goals, allowing guests to positively engage and give back to the communities, wildlife and land in the destinations they sail. For example, tastings at Wachauer Safranmanufaktur, the world's only bio-dynamically certified saffron producer; a visit to The Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative, an organization helping local women become financially independent; plastic-fishing in Amsterdam's waterways, and a visit to a local underprivileged children's rescue in India.
To read the full Impact Report and learn more about the progress Uniworld has made against its How We Tread Right sustainability strategy, please visit impact.treadright.org/progress.
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