Variety Cruises claims to have become becoming the first cruise line worldwide to join the Tourism Declares Climate Emergency initiative.
The Greek small ship company will be monitoring it impact on the environment with ships running on marine diesel oil, reducing plastic waste and further developing beach clean-ups, while adhering to the most “stringent policies” on waste management.
A year-long plan is being developed to will guide the way for lowering carbon emissions, while remaining committed to additional sustainability initiatives including no single use plastic and ethical food sourcing.
The aim is to lead by example in the hope that other operators within the travel industry and beyond will be inspired to follow.
The move comes Variety Cruises, established in 1949, enters its third generation of leadership, with chief executive Filippos Venetopoulos at the helm.
He said: “Climate change is real, and we acknowledge that, as a cruise line, we must work even harder to protect our planet.
“What humanity has done to mother earth is just unbearable. Being part of the third generation, we want to leave behind a world for our children’s children, and their children, too.
“As the first cruise line globally to join Tourism Declares Climate Emergency, we are taking an important step to lead by example in our industry. Nobody can afford to look away any longer.”
The company has also been supporting fire fighters involved in combating wildfires in Greece by providing essential survival kits and professional protection helmets and uniforms to volunteers via its Variety Cares foundation.