Enviro-immersion

Aqua is committed to playing its part to safeguard the planet for generations to come. Guests on board will have the opportunity to contribute to this cause by purchasing a bracelet made from recycled materials, each one representing five pounds of plastic removed from the world’s waterways.

Alongside this commitment, Aqua will also lead activations across its fleet, for targeted clean-ups across all destinations. This is an extension of the brand’s ongoing efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.

Expanding their dedication to responsible practices both aboard vessels and throughout their operations, Aqua Expeditions has enlisted in the SBTi with the aim of curbing their carbon emissions by a minimum of 4.5 percent by 2030.

This will be done as part of SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard, the world’s only framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. Aqua’s commitment will be achieved through a series of operational changes including smart engine and anchor use as well as more efficient itinerary planning, allowing for more efficient fuel and energy consumption.

This will also complement Aqua’s existing initiatives, which include their advanced onboard waste management systems for plastic separation, water purification systems which ensure only pristine water is returned back into the rivers and oceans, and sourcing 70 percent of all ingredients used on board locally to support local communities.

In the long term, all of Aqua’s river ships will be equipped with solar panels to reduce fuel consumption for lighting and air conditioning. Older engines in the fleet will also be replaced with newer fuel-efficient models.

Commenting on the new partnerships, Francesco Galli Zugaro, Founder & CEO of Aqua Expeditions, says: “We’re thrilled to join forces with 4Ocean, alongside our recent commitment to SBTi, to minimise our emissions and further our dedication to conserving the rich tapestry of aquatic marine life in the destinations we traverse, protecting these waterways for future generations, all while establishing new benchmarks for conscientious luxury travel.”

Aqua also continues to partner with The Manta Trust, a project that safeguards manta rays in Raja Ampat and the Savu Sea, a population threatened by targeted fishing, bycatch, and increased pressure on habitats. Utilising research to better understand the mantas, it drives localised conservation, education programs, and monitors the mantas long-term.

Since 2020, this partnership has seen the identification of 2,000 individual reef manta rays in Raja Ampat, the discovery of new manta cleaning stations, now under the protection of the project, and the development of a marine conservation education program with six local primary schools. As of 2024, Aqua has committed to providing Manta Trust with new underwater cameras to better support research and conservation efforts.

In the Galapagos, Aqua Expeditions has teamed up with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT), organisations that focus on the conservation and sustainable development of the Galapagos Archipelago.

Since the launch of Aqua Mare in 2022, Aqua’s naturalist guides have worked closely with CDF and GCT in a joint commitment to restore the archipelago’s land and marine habitats. This year, Aqua Expeditions furthers that partnership with its commitment to sponsor the CDF Shark Ecology and Conservation Program. The program evaluates the status of various endemic shark populations and studies their movement patterns with the goal of developing effective management plans to ensure their long-term conservation.

Aqua engages in both local and regional partnerships within the destinations they sail, aiming to have a net positive impact on the environment and the communities which depend on it. Notable achievements include the rehabilitation of the paiche fish population, releasing 2,100 taricaya turtles in the Peruvian Amazon, and supporting the Amazon Rescue Centre with the release of 25 manatees.

As strong believers in an individual’s power to affect change, Aqua lead awareness programmes and offer educational opportunities engaging with the local communities. Their partnership with the Indonesian Waste Platform has empowered those in Indonesia’s island communities to implement waste disposal methods, stopping plastic debris from ending up in our oceans.

Aqua Expeditions continues to redefine luxury small ship expeditions with a commitment that goes beyond the horizon, setting a new standard for responsible and immersive travel experiences.

aquaexpeditions.com
4ocean.com