LONDON – 8 June 2026: HX Expeditions has published its 2025 ESG Report on World Oceans Day, setting out a new sustainability roadmap to 2030 and presenting updated data across emissions, nature, science and community impact, according to the official press release.
The report is described by the expedition cruise company as its first ESG report informed by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. It also introduces HX Expeditions’ first formal long-term sustainability strategy, with SMART goals running through to 2030.
HX Expeditions says the 2025 report marks a shift from annual progress reporting towards a more structured accountability framework. The company’s reporting is also aligned with its audited Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive double materiality assessment, although the report notes that these standards are not yet mandatory for the business.
Download the detailed report here.
ESG reporting moves into a new phase
HX Expeditions has published an ESG report every year since 2017. In the new report, the company says this is the longest-running ESG reporting record in the expedition cruise industry. It also states that HX remains the only expedition cruise company transparently reporting disclosed emissions and waste data.
The 2025 report is built around three areas: emissions, nature and communities. These are supported by goals covering direct emissions, indirect emissions, leaving no trace, restoring and protecting nature, employee culture, and community partnerships.
The company has set a 2050 net zero carbon emissions goal. Its shorter-term emissions targets include exploring voyage-level emissions sharing with guests in 2026, investigating AI navigation technology to optimise routing, and reporting on alternative and next-generation propulsion for potential retrofitting. HX also plans to release near-term decarbonisation targets and an accompanying plan in 2027.
Emissions data shows progress and ongoing complexity
Emissions data shows both reductions and operational complexity. The press release reports a 12% year‑on‑year reduction in direct CO₂ emissions, down to 64,630 metric tons. It also records a 50% reduction in sulphur oxide emissions and a 14% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. HX notes that the fall in absolute emissions partly reflects operational changes, including the removal of MS Maud from the fleet.
To provide a more comparable measure, the ESG report also presents emissions per Available Passenger Cruise Night (APCN). On this basis, Scope 1 CO₂e increased from 139kg in 2024 to 145kg in 2025, while NOx rose from 2.02kg to 2.05kg. SOx fell from 0.03kg to 0.02kg. The APCN increase does not contradict the reported reduction in total emissions. Instead, it reflects the effect of fleet and operating changes once emissions are standardised per available passenger cruise night. HX says its priority remains Scope 1 emissions, which come directly from fuel used to power its ships. Scope 3 emissions are not yet included because of supply chain complexity, but the company says it is working towards full Scope 3 accounting by 2029 at the latest.
Operational measures in 2025 includes the launch of a fully electric “silent science boat” pilot operating from MS Fridtjof Nansen, the use of biofuel by MS Spitsbergen in Hamburg under FuelEU Maritime requirements, and continued development of “slow cruising” itineraries in the British Isles and Norway.
Science and nature targets form part of 2030 plan
Science remains a central part of HX Expeditions’ sustainability reporting. The company provided 1,652 complimentary cabin nights to scientists and research institutions in 2025, with the press release valuing this access at more than €1.4 million. It also reports 46,466 citizen science submissions, a 52% increase year on year.
Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi said: “HX is setting the industry standard because we lead with science – and our ambition is to keep pushing further, so scientists and researchers can reach the most remote places on Earth and deliver knowledge that really matters.”
From 2027, HX plans to make 3,900 cruise nights available to guest scientists each year, increasing dedicated capacity by 30% from a 2025 baseline of 3,000 nights.
Nature-related initiatives include the Big Blue Bag citizen science programme, continued work with Ocean Bottle, and the deployment of SOOP ocean monitoring technology. The report also says HX joined the European LOWNOISER initiative in 2025 as the only operational partner. The four-year, 15-partner consortium is funded by a €6.3 million Horizon Europe grant and focuses on reducing underwater radiated noise.
The company reports that 1,200 tonnes of ocean plastic have been removed through its Ocean Bottle partnership, while onboard food waste per guest night fell by 7%, from 162g in 2024 to 151g in 2025.
Community impact tracked by destination
HX Expeditions also introduces a destination-level approach to sustainability reporting to provide more granular insight into regional impact, rather than presenting sustainability activity only at group level.
The report covers activity across Antarctica, Alaska, the British Isles, Galápagos, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, Svalbard, Iceland and Norway.
In the Northwest Passage, HX reports that community-led excursions in Arctic Canada were co-created with Inuit Elders, local residents and community-born staff in destinations including Gjøa Haven, Pond Inlet and Cambridge Bay. The report states that standard community visits across two Northwest Passage itineraries generated approximately €260,000 in direct economic impact in summer 2025, with a further €77,000 paid directly to participating individuals through optional community-led excursions.
HX Foundation distributed €226,370 to 28 global projects in 2025, alongside €215,195 in guest donations. The report also records 27% food and beverage local sourcing from 44 local vendors and an increase in women in senior leadership from 34% to 45%.
“This report marks a significant step forward in how we define and deliver on our sustainability ambitions,” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions. “As we celebrate 130 years of exploration, our 2030 strategy sets a clear path for the future, strengthening accountability, sharpening our focus and ensuring we continue to lead in responsible expedition travel while contributing meaningfully to the wider industry.”
Source: Official Press Release by HX Expeditions on 8 June, 2026
