After achieving its carbon reduction target of 35%, Royal Caribbean Group has committed to further reduce emissions by 25% by 2025 from 2019 levels.
Commenting on the new goals, the company:
In 2018 we achieved our 35% emissions reduction target ahead of schedule. Then from 2019-2020 our emissions intensity increased due to changes in our organizational structure, full year of the Silversea Cruises acquisition, the addition of 12 ships, as well as our suspension of operations due to COVID-19
What is more, the company notes that it has met or exceeded nearly all of its 2020 sustainability targets.
To achiee this, in 2016, and in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the company set specific and measurable 2020 sustainability targets, in order to:
- Reduce its environmental footprint;
- Increase sustainable tourism;
- Respect for coastal communities and cultural heritage;
- Support WWF’s global ocean conservation work.
The company is working to develop a new set of targets around the reduction of carbon emissions, the sustainable growth and development of our business, sustainable commodity sourcing and tourism, the elimination of single-use plastics, and waste management.
Now, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is considered as a critical part of Royal Caribbean’s environmental stewardship strategy.
We are actively researching and assessing progress on technologies such as solar and wind power, biofuels, natural gas, fuel cells, biomass and shore power to determine their efficiencies and viability for the future
said the company, adding that it takes a holistic approach to reducing its environmental impacts.
Moreover, to achieve further emission reduction targets, Royal Caribbean’s next class of ships, Icon-class, expected to launch in 2023, will use LNG as well as fuel cell technology.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean has started to retrofit its fleet with shore power, in order for the ships to draw energy from the local grid system and eliminate the need to use the ship’s engines while at berth.
