HX Expeditions has published its 2025 ESG Report, marking a significant step forward in its sustainability journey. The report combines its strong year-on-year progress in emissions, nature protection, and social impact with the launch of the company’s first long-term sustainability strategy, setting clear and measurable SMART targets through 2030. It also represents a milestone for the expedition cruise industry, as HX Expeditions has developed its reporting system in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the new European framework designed to standardize how companies approach environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability, and has introduced a new approach to measuring impact at the destination level.
The 2025 results reflect significant progress in the environmental, scientific, and social spheres. The company reduced its direct CO₂ emissions by 12%, in addition to decreasing sulfur oxide emissions by 50% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 14%. At the same time, it strengthened its support for scientific research by providing 1,652 nights of accommodation for researchers and achieved a record 46,466 observations in citizen science projects, 52% more than the previous year. Furthermore, it distributed over €226,000 to projects supported by the HX Foundation and removed 1,200 tons of ocean plastic thanks to its partnership with Ocean Bottle.
The company is not only implementing this change through actions, but has also created a reporting model based on its corporate responsibility. Through initiatives such as the first ESG report aligned with ESRS standards, the launch of a specific sustainability strategy with SMART targets up to 2030, and proactive alignment with the dual materiality assessment audited by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the company wants to make it clear that it not only supports the cause through action projects, but is also creating structural changes to ensure that all its operations guarantee the greatest transparency, consistency, and comparability in its reporting.
HX Expeditions' sustainability strategy has also translated into significant operational and social advancements. During 2025, the company added a fully electric scientific vessel for low-impact research activities, continued to improve the efficiency of its fleet by optimizing fuel consumption and introducing alternative fuels, and expanded its slow-cruising itineraries to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations. Furthermore, it strengthened its conservation initiatives by implementing ocean monitoring systems, launching new marine protection projects, and taking measures to improve onboard resource management, reducing both food waste and water consumption, and maintaining a zero-discharge record.
Many of these initiatives are just beginning, and as part of the new SMART 2030 goals, the company promises to increase its level of collaboration on science-related projects. One example is the 30% increase in scientific research trips by 2030, which have already led to significant discoveries, such as that of Dr. Manuel Novillo, who recorded for the first time in the world the reproductive behavior of the Antarctic blackfin icefish near Danco Island using underwater drones—a phenomenon never before documented in that area.
According to Dr. Verena Meraldi: “HX is setting the industry standard because we lead from a scientific perspective. Our ambition is to continue advancing so that scientists and researchers can access the most remote places on the planet and generate truly relevant knowledge.”.
HX has also continued to strengthen its social commitment by increasing diversity in leadership positions, promoting recruitment and purchasing from local suppliers, expanding educational and scholarship programs, and implementing emergency support mechanisms for crew members affected by typhoons in the Philippines.
Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions, stated: “This report represents a significant step forward in how we define and realize our sustainability ambitions. As we celebrate 130 years of exploration, our 2030 strategy sets out a clear roadmap for the future, strengthening accountability, refining our priorities, and ensuring we continue to lead the responsible expedition travel sector while making a meaningful contribution to the wider industry.”.
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