Uniworld appoints sustainability officer

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced several sustainability initiatives, including the appointment of Julie Higgins in the new role of sustainability officer.

The initiatives are in tandem with How We Tread Right, the sustainability strategy of parent company The Travel Corporation.

Uniworld’s strategy, headed by Higgins, includes 11 sustainability goals such as reducing 50% of food waste by 2025, increasing use of local and organic food, carbon neutrality by 2030 or sooner, eliminating single-use plastic, switching to renewable energy, and offering more ‘Make Travel Matter’ experiences to passengers.

Higgins said Uniworld is the first river cruise line to publish an impact report as part of its monitoring of its progress.

“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 utilising local suppliers,” she said.

Currently, 31% of Uniworld’s itineraries include at least one ‘Make Travel Matter’ experience, on itineraries throughout India, Europe and the Middle East. The target is to reach 50% by 2025.

They include tastings at Wachauer Safranmanufaktur in Austria, the world’s only bio-dynamically certified saffron producer; a visit to the Doktorenhof vinegar estate in Germany where almost all the work is done by hand; a Dutch cheese trail at a sustainable, self-sufficient dairy farm near Hoorn, Netherlands; and a visit to an underprivileged children’s rescue in India.

Higgins has been with Uniworld for 18 years, playing an active role in operations and the ongoing learning and development of all Uniworld crew.