Photo: Michelle Sole
METHODOLOGY Quark Expeditions follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard for emissions accounting, ensuring consistency with global best practices. We categorize emissions into three scopes based on operational control and influence. Fleet fuel consumption is measured directly through onboard monitoring systems and fuel receipts. Hotel and office electricity usage comes from utility bills and property management data. Business travel is tracked through expense reporting and booking systems. Supply chain emissions are calculated using spend-based factors for major categories. We use publicly available factors from the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for fuel combustion, electricity, and travel. Marine gas oil factors include well- to-tank upstream emissions. For international operations, we apply regional electricity grid factors where vessels connect to shore power. Our operational control approach includes all Quark-owned vessels, chartered ships under our operational management, and direct shore operations. We include guest charter flights and accommodation that we arrange, but exclude passenger travel to expedition departure points, as this varies significantly by guest origin and isn’t under our control.
WHAT IS MATERIALITY?
Materiality focuses carbon accounting efforts on the emission sources that matter most to our business and stakeholders. This means prioritizing fuel consumption, which accounts for the majority of our footprint, over smaller sources, such as office electricity. By concentrating measurement and reduction efforts on material sources, we can make the greatest potential impact on our footprint. Methodology and key data sources are validated by a third party on an annual basis. We maintain detailed documentation for all emission sources and regularly review calculation procedures to ensure accuracy and completeness as our operations evolve. CHARTING A PATH TO NET ZERO Climate poses a major threat to the polar ecosystems, and we recognize our role in this global issue. Addressing this requires significant commitment to reducing our own emissions. This year, we began developing a climate- aligned decarbonization plan. Strategies include improving ship efficiencies, engaging behavior change among staff and guests, and investing in low-carbon technologies. The challenges ahead are great—but so is our collective resolve.
Sustainability Report 2024: Our Commitment to Conservation & Community | 29
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