Royal Caribbean Group has published its thirteenth annual sustainability report. This document provides a comprehensive update on the company's sustainability efforts. In particular, the 2020 report indicates that the company met or exceeded almost all of its sustainability goals for that year.
“Sustainability is a core area of our business, and this report reflects our successes and challenges over the past year,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “I am proud of the progress we have made; the importance of this area has grown exponentially. With our work ethic and commitment to continuous improvement, we have significantly expanded our aspirations in this critical area and are setting even more ambitious goals for the coming years.”.
The report is structured into four main sections that reflect Royal Caribbean Group’s strategic approach to sustainability, ranging from emissions reduction to supporting employees and crew in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s report also includes the latest Materiality Matrix, as well as additional information in line with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) reporting metrics.
“We live in an era of profound and interconnected changes that demand a bold and positive response. Our ESG work and objectives are focused on ensuring that we play a leading role in achieving a healthy and prosperous workplace, society, and environment,” said Silvia Garrigo, Chief Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Officer of Royal Caribbean Group.
In 2016, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the company established very specific, ambitious, and measurable sustainability goals for 2020, aiming to reduce its environmental footprint, increase sustainable tourism, and foster respect for coastal communities and cultural heritage. This also included raising awareness and supporting WWF's global ocean conservation efforts. To date, Royal Caribbean Group has met or exceeded all of its 2020 goals, with the exception of the sustainable sourcing target for fish and seafood, which was impacted by the global suspension of activity due to the pandemic.
The company is working on developing a new set of objectives around reducing carbon emissions, the sustainable growth and development of our business, the sustainable sourcing of commodities and tourism, the elimination of single-use plastics and waste management.
Report highlights.
During the pandemic, Royal Caribbean Group continued working on several key issues for its stakeholders, including:
- Emissions reduction: Royal Caribbean Group achieved its carbon reduction target of 35% and has committed to reducing emissions by a further 25% by 2025.
- Royal Caribbean Group's Kansas wind farm project, developed in partnership with Southern Power, has begun operations and generated approximately 242,000 tons of CO2 offset. The wind farm is expected to offset up to 12% of the company's global emissions annually.
- Celebrity Apex joined the fleet with an external power outlet and an Energy Efficiency Design Instrument (EEDI) standard, 39% more efficient than current requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- Our new class of ships, the Icon class, scheduled for launch in 2023, will use cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas and fuel cell technology, reducing ship emissions.
- Sustainable sourcing: the company is committed to sourcing 90% of its wild-caught fish and seafood and 75% of its farmed seafood served on Royal Caribbean Group ships from certified sustainable sources, a first in the cruise industry.
- While the global suspension of service delayed this goal, as cruise operations resume, Royal Caribbean Group remains committed to ensuring that all sustainable seafood served on its fleet can be traced back to its origin.
- In addition, the company is constantly working to identify sustainable products: from cage-free eggs to meat from pigs raised in a humane and respectful way.
- Circular economy: The company is working towards zero waste across the Royal Caribbean Group fleet. Currently, 100% of the Royal Caribbean Group fleet is equipped to be landfill-free. Only 0.50 pounds (226 grams) of waste is sent to landfills per passenger per day, 80% less than the average on U.S. land.
- Whenever possible, waste from Royal Caribbean Group ships is reused, recycled, or converted into energy.
- The company has eliminated 60% of single-use plastics from its supply chain.
- Water and wastewater: Royal Caribbean Group ships work to ensure that freshwater on their ships is used sparingly and efficiently.
- Ninety percent of the fresh water consumed is produced on board their ships in order to avoid depleting local resources.
- Each ship is equipped with a water treatment plant. The advanced wastewater purification systems are designed to be twice as stringent as U.S. federal standards, with a company policy that prohibits the release of untreated water into the ocean.
