Hurtigruten has become the first Norwegian cruise line to begin testing biodiesel on board a ship, providing up to a potential emissions reduction of 95%. The initiative is the latest push by Hurtigruten as it strives to the goal of becoming completely emission free.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group says it will eliminate all single-use plastic, across its entire portfolio of luxury hotels, by the end of March 2021.

MSC Cruises has been awarded the 2019 ‘Greenest Shipowner of the Year’ Neptune Award at the Global Sustainable Shipping and Ports Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The award is given every year to a shipping company that has shown excellence in reducing the environmental impact of its fleet’s day-to-day operation and recognises the sustainability efforts of the recipient.

Royal Caribbean will open the world’s first carbon-neutral cruise destination in 2022, and what’s more, it will be in the South Pacific.

Karma Group has revealed its commitment to sustainability throughout its range of resorts with a new green initiative. Karma have already based their restaurants’ menus around the use of seasonal ingredients, but the resort recently undertook a review of its sustainability initiatives and was disappointed by the excess plastic on site. In an effort to drastically reduce this number, the Karma team has unveiled a plan to minimise the use of plastic across the resort group.

Six Senses has announced it open its the first resort in the Galápagos Islands, with the property slated to open in 2021.

Lexus Australia has announced a new partnership with Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, the ultra-luxury conservation-based resort in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Resort guests will enjoy the comforts of the Lexus RX and LX as part of their villa experience, in addition to the ‘Lexus Long Lunch’, a new gourmet lunch experience birthed by the partnership.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has confirmed its global fleet of luxury and expedition ships will switch to marine gas oil effective July 2020. The low-pollutant fuel (which has a maximum sulphur content of 0.1%), will reduce the sulphur emissions of the cruise company’s tourism operation by 80%. The changeover to marine gas oil will also result in a reduction of soot and particulates of up to 30%.

Visit Finland has launched a new Sustainable Travel Finland program for companies and regions across the country.

Kokomo Private Island has partnered with the world’s leading manta ray research and conservation charities to launch the South Pacific Acoustic Manta Tagging Project. Expanding the resort’s commitment to sustainability, the program works to estimate the size and movement of Fiji’s manta population, raising awareness of their conservation needs and the benefits of sustainable tourism.

His Royal Highness Prince Harry is leading the charge for a new initiative co-founded by Booking.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor and Visa, that aspires to change the impact of travel, for good.

Edwardian Hotels London has flagged a Spring 2020 opening date for its new “super boutique hotel” that is under development in Leicester Square. Previously flagged to launch in 2019, the £300 million property will feature 350 rooms, including 35 luxury suites. The project has been on the drawing board since 2013.