PONANT continues its environmental commitment by supporting Aldabra Clean Up, an exemplary and tangible project to combat plastic pollution, preserve the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles and raise global awareness.
PONANT, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility project, is working with the Aldabra Cleanup Project to remove the tons of plastic waste that have accumulated on the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest coral atoll in the world and is home to unique species, including more than 150,000 Aldabra giant tortoises.
Despite its isolation and protection, this incredible place has not escaped the threat of marine plastic pollution. By becoming its main partner, PONANT enables the Aldabra Clean Up Project to reach the level of resources needed to make this major project viable, while also providing its expertise to closely monitor the implementation of operations.
In addition to the cleanup program, this project also aims to educate and raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection. To achieve this, the project will promote positive measures to substantially reduce the pollution that severely affects these unique locations. To this end, the Aldabra Cleanup Project team will conduct scientific research to quantify the threat that plastic poses to these precious island ecosystems. This will be followed by an awareness campaign targeting the global population about the environmental challenges facing the oceans.
“We are proud to represent Ponant in Spain, a company that has been dedicated for over 30 years to promoting respect for the marine environment,” stated Juan Rodero, CEO of StarClass. Rodero added: “Ponant involves the entire company, from ship construction and shore excursions to passengers, to raise awareness and transform them into true ambassadors for the responsible tourism that the company is committed to encouraging.”
ABOUT THE ALDABRA CLEANUP PROJECT
In May 2018, the Aldabra Cleanup Project was launched at the Royal Society in London and the Seychelles State House. The project is a collaboration between Queen's College, Oxford, and the Seychelles Islands Foundation. It brings together Oxford graduates and dedicated volunteers from Seychelles to achieve an ambitious goal: cleaning the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean, which has been severely impacted by plastic pollution.
