Sustainability Policy at White Desert
Environmental Governance in Antarctica
With two decades of experience in Antarctica, White Desert understands what it takes to operate responsibly in one of the world’s most fragile environments. Antarctica is unique as there are no nations here, and its protection is guided entirely by international agreements that prioritise peace, science, and conservation. The Antarctic Treaty, first signed in 1959 and now joined by 46 countries, lays the foundation for all activity on the continent. Environmental protection is further reinforced under the Madrid Protocol of 1991, which designates Antarctica as a 'natural reserve'. Every activity must be assessed for environmental impact, and only those deemed to have less than a minor or transitory effect are permitted.
Sustainability Initiatives
White Desert was the first aviation operator in Antarctica to be entirely Carbon Neutral, a standard the company has maintained since 2007. Your entire trip with us is fully offset.
We minimise waste by repackaging all consumables before bringing them to Antarctica. At season’s end, all solid waste is shipped back to South Africa for recycling (75%) or responsible disposal.
The White Desert Foundation is committed to tackling climate change through supporting scientific research in Antarctica & investing in cutting-edge Blue Carbon initiatives in South Africa. Each booking carries a small Environmental Levy which directly supports this.
White Desert offsets its flights and activities with accredited carbon-neutral schemes. It has pioneered a solar-power system for heat and water, and this year [2020] expects to eliminate single-use plastics from its supply chain. All waste is shipped out to be recycled or disposed of responsibly in South Africa. Finally, when the camp’s lifespan reaches a natural end, it will be removed without a trace.
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Stanley Stewart
Condé Nast Traveller
The First Steps
In November, Atka Bay awakens to a flurry of tiny Emperor Penguin chicks, newly hatched and beginning to wobble from their parents’ feet. Each chick faces a staggering challenge: nearly half will not survive the extreme Antarctic conditions. Their insulating grey down — delicate yet remarkably resilient — helps them endure temperatures plunging below –50°C (–58°F) and winds exceeding 190 km/h (120 mph).
The early season offers an intimate view of this vulnerable stage of the penguins’ life cycle, as chicks take their first steps onto the ice. The journey to the colony is as memorable as the encounter itself: a 2.5-hour Basler flight reveals the vast ice shelf and surrounding ocean before guests continue by PistenBully, approaching at a respectful distance. As thousands of penguins emerge on the horizon, visitors witness fluffy chicks, watchful parents, and the unfiltered reality of survival in Earth’s harshest environment — a perspective few will ever experience.
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