Carnival Corporation’s nine brands are focusing on a “circular economy model”, according to the goals in its latest sustainability report.
The report confirms the cruise giant’s sustainability goals and aspirations across six focus areas.
They are: climate action; circular economy; good health and well-being; sustainable tourism; biodiversity and conservation; diversity, equity and inclusion.
The concept of a circular economy is where items are reused and recycled in order to maximise their use, in contrast to a linear economy which sees items made, used and disposed of.
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Carnival’s sustainability report also sets out its target to reduce air emissions by 50% by 2030, compared to its 2015 baseline; increase shore power connection capability to 60% of its ships by 2030; and achieve a 50% reduction in its use of single use plastics by end of this year.
It also wants to achieve a 30% unit food waste reduction by 2022 and 50% unit food waste reduction by 2030.
By 2025, Carnival is planning for nearly 20% of its fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Four LNG-powered ships are already in operation, with 11 more LNG vessels to come before 2025.
The most recent LNG vessels are P&O Cruises’ Iona and Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras.
Carnival has also pledged to expand its alternative fuels strategy that includes its LNG programme and battery, fuel cell and biofuel capabilities as it aspires to achieve net carbon zero operations.
President and chief executive Arnold Donald said: “Our efforts have also resulted in operating for the first time an LNG cruise ship in North America.
“Further, we have equipped 40% of our fleet with shore-power capabilities, enabling our ships to use shoreside electric power where available while in port.”
In the report, the company said the peak in carbon emissions came in 2011, even though its entire fleet across nine cruise lines had since increased by 20%.
Bill Burke, Carnival Coporation’s chief maritime officer, said: “At Carnival Corporation, our highest responsibility and top priority is always compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel.
“This comprehensive set of 2030 goals and aspirations for 2050 being introduced for the first time reaffirm our ongoing commitment to sustainability and will guide our actions to further strengthen sustainability performance throughout all aspects of our global operations, while supporting opportunities for sustainable growth across our organization over time.”