- Responsible reporting and value creation are the pillars of Costa Cruises' corporate social responsibility plan and its contribution to sustainable development
- This commitment is reflected in the results of the shipping company's 2014 Sustainability Report: a 9.7% reduction in energy consumption,100% waste separation, LED lighting throughout the fleet, and the world's first ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), to be delivered in 2019 and 2020.
Costa Cruises, Europe's number 1 cruise company, has presented its 'Sustainability Report – 2014 Results and Future Outlook', and outlined its corporate social responsibility plan for the coming years.
Divided into three sections called Sea, You, and Tomorrow, the report highlights the company's key sustainability achievements. The final section, which outlines the plan, defines Costa's objectives and roadmap for the future in terms of both product development and innovation, as well as the path to sustainable growth. The report can be downloaded from the new Sustainabilityof the Costa website.
SEA (MAR) – Costa Cruises is constantly committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations; and it does so through a series of initiatives focused on the careful use of energy resources, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, as well as the efficient management of resources.
The main results in the environmental field obtained in 2014 were:
(year-on-year % reduction)
9% reduction in fuel consumption per passenger per day
3% reduction in the company's carbon footprint
Emission reduction equivalent to -4% in tons of SOx, and -7% in tons of NOx and PMx (gases typically produced during fuel combustion processes)
9.7% reduction in energy consumption
Installation of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems to reduce emissions on seven ships in the fleet
Replacement of existing light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lamps on all ships in the fleet: 450,000 bulbs were replaced, resulting in an 80% energy saving
100% of the materials and products consumed on board are collected and separated for disposal and recycling
A 1.36% reduction in water consumption on ships, of which 68% is produced directly on board using special desalination plants
YOU – Costa continuously works to build strong relationships with local organizations to help them create economic and, above all, social value. In fact, its ties with local communities go far beyond simply bringing thousands of tourists to the best destinations around the world. The Italian company's presence generates significant benefits for the local economy of each place visited, creating new business and employment opportunities, both directly and through the development of partner industries.
To give an idea of the scale of this positive impact, Costa has nearly 8,800 suppliers on five continents and its ships sail to 261 ports of call worldwide, 21 of which were new additions in 2014. Concrete examples include the development and expansion of operations in the home port of Savona, where Costa Cruises opened its second building in the Palacrociere terminal, or the agreement with the Municipality of Genoa, promoting its declaration as Palazzi dei Rolli – a UNESCO World Heritage Site (when it was used to provide splendid state accommodation for visiting dignitaries).
Costa's operations have led to the creation of jobs both indirectly and directly through the hiring of company employees: in 2014, Costa Cruises provided work for 4,000 new onboard employees within the 18-30 age group.
TOMORROW – A commitment to the future translates into the planning and implementation of highly innovative corporate social responsibility projects. In July of this year, Costa Cruises announced that it had ordered the construction of the world's first two ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world's cleanest fossil fuel. Scheduled to enter service in 2019 and 2020, these ships represent a substantial investment and a move that ushers in a new era of sustainable fuels. Costa Cruises' pioneering decision to introduce these ships is an excellent example of how the company anticipates industry trends, ensuring environmental compliance and protection.
Regarding its product, Costa is committed, for example, to promoting healthy and sustainable culinary experiences for its passengers and crew. It does this by fostering local culinary traditions and sourcing local ingredients, with a particular emphasis on Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Consequently, it prioritizes fresh food supplies at its various ports of call, purchasing 25% of these products locally, thereby substantially reducing the environmental impact of its logistics activities. The involvement of suppliers committed to responsible supply chain management is further evidence of the Italian company's policy of adopting and promoting a sustainable food model.
The 2014 Sustainability Report is audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC). It is prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-G4 guidelines (Core application level disclosure), which distinguishes it from similar documents issued by other shipping companies.
