Quark Expeditions Releases First Annual Sustainability Report Integral To Its Polar Promise Strategy

As outlined in its comprehensive Polar Promise Strategy, Quark Expeditions Publishes its in-depth 2019 Sustainability Report, underscoring accountability and measurable goals in the polar regions

SEATTLE, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, today released its first annual Sustainability Report, which provides a detailed analysis of the company's comprehensive sustainability strategy in the polar regions, highlighting milestones while also outlining concrete, measurable goals to be met by 2025.

"Quark Expeditions' first annual Sustainability Report, a key deliverable in our Polar Promise strategy, reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible travel in the polar regions," says Lyndsey Lewis, Operations and Sustainability Manager for Quark Expeditions. "This comprehensive report establishes a baseline—and culture —of accountability in the Arctic and Antarctic. Last April, we unveiled our sustainability strategy under the title 'Polar Promise,' which is the most comprehensive and holistic strategy of its kind in the polar expedition industry. As part of this effort, we shared specific, concrete goals which we intend to meet by 2025. This report, in full transparency to our passengers and partners, marks how we've been tracking with respect to those goals and clearly outlines our commitment moving forward."

Quark Expeditions, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary, has been on the forefront of sustainability and environmental protection in the polar regions since its inaugural North Pole expedition in 1991. "Sustainability has always part of our DNA," says Lewis. "We were one of the founding members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and we've been active in the environmental conservation efforts of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) since 2007. This first annual Sustainability Report cements our ongoing role in safeguarding the pristine polar regions for generations to come."

Quark Expeditions' sustainability achievements include:

• As a long-time supporter of polar research and conservation, including the efforts of organizations such as Polar Bears International, Quark Expeditions enables scientists to access remote locations in both the Arctic and Antarctic and donates the proceeds from our onboard auctions to science and conservation organizations.
• To date, the company has donated $250,000 to the citizens science group Penguin Watch, which studies penguin population change.
• Since 2017, Quark Expeditions has donated $46,000 of the proceeds of our onboard auctions to support the Habitat Restoration Project, administered by the South Georgia Heritage Trust, which successfully eliminated invasive rodents (which impacted bird populations) from South Georgia in 2018. Quark Expeditions continues to support South Georgia Heritage Trust's efforts to maintain this rodent-free declaration.
• In 2017, Quark Expeditions eliminated single use plastics.
• In 2019, the Quark Expeditions team eliminated 14,000 Individual yogurt containers and 320,000 single use plastic bottles.
• In 2018-19, Quark Expeditions diverted 103.11 cubic meters of glass, 60.11 cubic meters of plastic and 106.82 cubic meters of cardboard.
• Historical analysis confirms that Quark Expeditions' has decreased emissions from its fleet by 28% since 2010.

Quark Expeditions' Polar Promise is based on four main pillars which have been implemented across all sectors of the company: