The Italian company has presented the latest edition of the document outlining its sustainability strategy, which is based on responsible innovation and value creation.
Its main achievements in the area of the environment have been: a 4.8% reduction in energy consumption, 100% of the waste generated has been collected and separated for disposal and recycling, and a 2.3% reduction in the carbon footprint.
Costa Cruises has presented the tenth edition of its sustainability report, called “Sea You Tomorrow: On the way to the future”, a document that highlights the most relevant sustainability results achieved by the company in 2015.
Environmental protection, the creation of shared value, and responsible innovation are the cornerstones upon which Costa Cruises has built its sustainable initiatives, which are described in the report in three sections: “Sea,” “You,” and “Tomorrow.” The document explains Costa’s path toward sustainable growth, the most relevant projects undertaken, and the key objectives achieved on its journey toward the complete integration of sustainability into its business model, always with an eye toward the future. This new report can be downloaded in full from the “Sustainability” section of the Costa Cruises website: www.costacruise.com/sustainability.
SEA. Costa Cruises is committed, above all, to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. The company achieves this through the implementation, on board its ships, of various energy efficiency projects focused on: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, rationalizing water resources, and recycling waste.
The main results obtained in 2015 in terms of sustainability have been: (Percentage reduction compared to the previous year).
– 3% reduction in fuel consumption per passenger per day.
– 2.3% reduction in the company's carbon footprint.
– Emissions reduction: 11% in SOx and 3% in NOx and PM.
– Installation of the ECO Exhaust Gas Cleaning system on seven of its ships, representing 46.6% of the fleet. This industry-leading technology features a filtration system that can remove more than 90% of pollutants from exhaust gases, regardless of the ship's operating conditions.
– 4.8% reduction in energy consumption.
– 100% of onboard waste is collected and separated for disposal and recycling.
– 69% of the required water was produced directly onboard, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous year.
In addition to these results, Costa Cruises has renewed its long-standing commitment to protecting biodiversity and the different ecosystems in the areas where it sails: specifically, in 2015 Costa collaborated on the Whalesafe Life+ project for the conservation of sperm whales in the waters of the port of Savona and surrounding areas, and has also worked with CNR – ISMAR (Italian National Research Council – Institute of Marine Sciences) to promote research in oceanography and marine sciences.
The company is also focused on reducing, reusing, and recovering materials and products on board, involving passengers and crew members, for example, through a multi-year agreement with CiAl (Consorzio Imballaggi Alluminio, the Italian national consortium for aluminum recovery and recycling). From 2007 to 2015, approximately 334 metric tons of aluminum were collected for recycling. Furthermore, this partnership has led to the implementation of a larger project called “Message in a Can,” involving the municipality of Savona in the separate collection of aluminum, thus providing another example of an activity designed to promote best practices in the development of a circular economy.
YOU. Costa Cruises understands the importance of the value chain and works constantly to strengthen its ties with the local communities in the 261 ports of call on its fleet. The Italian company's presence has a positive impact on the local economy, generating new employment and business opportunities through the development of new commercial and entrepreneurial activities in the supply chain; in fact, Costa has more than 10,000 suppliers across five continents. Its existing agreements with local stakeholders promote capacity building in the tourism sector by developing inbound tourism initiatives and, at the same time, promoting the natural landscapes and artistic and cultural attractions of each destination visited.
Costa's human capital – a rich resource with great cultural diversity and employees from 70 different countries – is the company's essential asset in terms of added value. Costa constantly offers its employees new opportunities for growth and skills development in an inclusive and stimulating work environment. In 2015, the average number of people employed on Costa ships increased in all geographic areas, representing a 9.5% year-on-year increase.
TOMORROW. Looking to the future, Costa Cruises continues to lead the industry by incorporating pioneering and sustainable solutions. The company's activities are guided by a commitment to investing in the gradual integration of sustainable features in ship technology and the evolution of its offerings across its entire fleet; this also includes a growing focus on ensuring a balanced diet on board.
One of the main features of Costa Cruises' plans for the future is the construction of the first cruise ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world's cleanest fossil fuel, with deliveries scheduled for 2019 and 2021. The inclusion of newer, more fuel-efficient ships – constituting a model of excellence – is facilitated by recent improvements in the regulatory framework and better gas refueling infrastructure.
Regarding food and a balanced diet, Costa's strategy focuses on sustainable nutrition and transparency in the supply chain. The goal is to provide travelers with an excellent culinary experience—not only through the final product but also through the sustainable sourcing of food products, with a special emphasis on healthy habits. In connection with this effort, the company has established a collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG) in Pollenzo to review its food service and analyze the links between food, culture, and traditions in Costa's ports of call, prioritizing onboard menus based on seasonal and local ingredients. Furthermore, passengers and crew members will be encouraged to play an increasingly active role in initiatives aimed at reducing food consumption onboard.
The 2015 Sustainability Report is audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC). It is prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) - G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and reflects Costa Cruises' performance in different areas of intervention and commitment, summarized in the Sustainable Development Goals; this activity includes an assessment of the correlation between each of the goals and Costa's business activities.
