Hire boating holiday company, Locaboat, has introduced more sustainability measures to further reduce the already low carbon footprint of its holidays.
- On average, 15.5kg of carbon is emitted per person per day on a Locaboat Penichette, compared to 420kg per passenger per day on a traditional cruise.
- 38 of 300 boats in the fleet are already powered by hybrid propulsion, others are being switched to renewable, fossil-free paraffinic diesel – hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) – which reduces 92% of CO2 emissions.
- Three-quarters of a hire boating holidaymaker’s carbon is accrued travelling to and from the waterway, as research into Locaboat’s scope 3* carbon footprint found.
Camille Binz, Marketing and Digital Director at Locaboat, says: “Despite the minimal impact on energy, materials, goods and land resources that a hire boating holiday has, our mission at Locaboat is to keep Europe’s canal traditions alive. This means doing everything we can to protect the environment and ecosystems along the waterways, ensuring that these stunning landscapes remain unspoilt for years to come.”
One of the measures that Locaboat is taking is switching to renewable, fossil-free paraffinic diesel which allows a reduction of 92% of CO2 emissions: hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO). Locaboat’s Ireland-based boats are already using HVO.
“We believe this is the first step and we are working on converting all of our other departure bases to HVO as soon as possible, despite logistic and technical challenges.”
Four of Locaboat’s bases have already been awarded “Blue Flag” status, in recognition of their exemplary efforts towards tourism development that is respectful of the environment, education, and visitor safety and accessibility. In France, only 106 ports achieve this status. Locaboat has set itself the goal of extending its sustainable achievements to all its bases in Europe, hoping to achieve more “Blue Flags” in the future.
The company’s bases also have specific programmes in place to help preserve the environments and ecosystems along the canals, such as collaborative vegetable gardens and photo exhibitions for education. What’s more, Locaboat has equipped 100% of its fleet with sorting bins to facilitate recycling and 98% have waste water tanks. In addition, the maintenance of the company’s Pénichettes is done using environmentally friendly products and selective household and special waste sorting is offered at all of their bases.
“We are committed to ensuring that our cruises operate in a way that is respectful of the surrounding environment and ecosystem and that the idyllic canalside landscapes remain so for those at the helm of every Locaboat boat as well as the natural inhabitants. Our Pénichettes do not exceed 8 km/h and encourage travellers to choose a more responsible holiday with a limited carbon footprint.”
Once boats are moored, travellers can explore the breathtaking surrounding landscapes on foot or by bike.
https://www.locaboat.com/en/locaboat-commits-to-more-responsible-cruising/
*Scope 3 carbon footprint refers to emissions generated from a company’s entire supply chain, including those not directly produced by the organisation but indirectly affected by it.
