Last month, the UN issued a landmark climate report, one secretary general Antonio Guterres branded "a survival guide for humanity".

The message is clear – while we’re now unlikely to limit global warming to +1.5°C, there’s still time for us to embrace clean energy and the technologies with which to avoid catastrophe. But this is our last chance.

Nowhere have the effects been more evident than in polar regions after levels of Antarctic sea ice last year dropped to record lows, raising fresh questions about the cruise industry’s ambitions in polar regions.

Cruise lines claim to be rising to the challenge through sustainability advances ranging from cleaner propulsion technologies and conservation efforts to raising awareness of the fragility of these environments. Indeed, this is a specific goal of the newly-launched Expedition Cruise Network (ECN), which debuted on Monday (17 April), 

Sceptics, though, will take convincing. Responsible Travel chief executive Justin Francis points out: "We might claim that witnessing these places first-hand transforms travellers into activists for environmental protection.

"And perhaps there is some merit to that, although there’s scant hard evidence for it." 

Greenpeace UK head of oceans Ariana Densham said the "sense of wonder" people get from visiting the Arctic and Antarctica can help with the task of protecting oceans and wildlife. However, she stressed there was "no escaping the harm" cruising can cause to air and water quality in these environments.

"A limited amount of responsible tourism with strict guidelines that are regularly reviewed by independent scientists can and should be possible," she said.

"But we would encourage most people to experience the polar regions without going there, through wonderful nature documentaries like Frozen Planet, on Google Earth or by following research expeditions online."

Francis, however, noted tourism had a positive track record of mitigating more destructive activities, such as poaching and mining, in sensitive areas.

"Fees to [the Arctic’s] national parks and reserves support important conservation, and visiting remote communities provides crucial income and helps preserve culture."

Sustainable goals

He added all holiday providers should aim ever higher than simply leaving no trace; he advised agents promoting polar travel to do so sustainably by checking whether a particular line or operator is a member of a conservation initiative, encouraging small-ship sailing, ensuring holidays have an educational aspect, and urging clients to spend time while they are travelling in local communities.

However, Francis nonetheless warned "there may still come a tipping point", especially for Antarctica.

"As visitor numbers rise, so do reports of worsening localised impacts," he said. "If the continent’s tourism code of conduct proves too weak, stronger legal protections – including a cap on numbers and stricter mandatory environmental measures – may be necessary."

He added: "Sometimes, it’s right for places to be off-limits to tourism. Travel still has value in Antarctica, just not at any cost."

Martin Johnson, director and co-founder of Latin Routes and Polar Routes, who also co-founded the ECN, said while he shared Densham and Francis’ concerns, he was sure those who explore polar regions sustainably will learn a great deal about the true extent of climate change.

Polar Routes works with more than 22 sustainably-accredited tour operators, advocating for "careful" tourism to these regions that places a spotlight on the environmental issues they face.

"In turn, this exposure brings back advocates for protecting it, that results in positive change," Johnson told TTG. "Today’s travellers are more environmentally aware than ever before, and the expedition cruise operators we work with have made huge advances in reducing their environmental impact."

Cruise academic Dr Jennifer Holland believes frontline agents will play a crucial role in driving this shift towards sustainable travel as the industry’s conversation starters.

"The cruise lines all have really savvy information on their websites, and agents could utilise these marketing materials."

Scientific contribution

The importance of enhancing consumer knowledge of sustainable travel to these regions is not lost on Hurtigruten’s UK and EMEA general manager Anthony Daniels either, who said the brand "understands the challenges" around polar exploration. 

"That’s why we are very front and centre about our decisions to travel there," he told TTG. "We don’t want to encourage mass consumerism."

Daniels said for Hurtigruten, polar expeditions was not "just about taking a holiday", but also about contributing to efforts to establish how the line – and other lines – can support the long-term health of remote environments.

One way it achieves this is by sending out a science boat to collect water and plankton samples each time a consumer expedition is carried out.

Like Dr Holland, Daniels believes agents will be critical to promoting sustainable expedition cruising. "We do a lot of engagement with our agents and customers," he said.

"Our guests are very conscious about going to these places, so we’ve got to make sure that they’re proud of what they’re doing and what they achieve." 

Peter Shanks, Silversea managing director UK and Ireland, said it was the line’s "mission" to deliver holidays in a responsible way. 

"We work collaboratively with different organisations around the globe to ensure we exceed regulations related to environmental impact," he said.

"When sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic, we operate under strict environmental permits and independent verification of compliance requirements that allow us to explore the polar regions in the safest, most responsible way to minimise our impact."

Ponant head of CSR and sustainability Wassim Daoud said the line had invested more than €1 billion in building a fleet of ships to the "highest standards" of sustainable operation.

"The more technologically advanced the equipment, the less it pollutes," he reasoned. "Today, the company’s smaller capacity limits propulsive power and reduces the quantity of fuel and emissions."

Travelling the world, for many, is a unique perk of modern times. But if we are to continue visiting the farthest reaches of the globe, the travel industry as a whole must acknowledge the responsibility that comes with that, and ensure trips to endangered locations such as the Arctic and Antarctica are marketed, sold and operated responsibly.