Royal Caribbean Group has announced a major step in its journey towards sustainability: “Destination Net Zero”, a comprehensive decarbonization strategy that includes its commitment to setting science-based targets and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
“Decades ago, we set out on our path to sustainability; our vision now is to make carbon-free cruising a reality within the next two decades,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Today, we announced what will be the most significant ‘destination’ in our company’s history: ‘Destination Net Zero,’ an ambitious strategy to reduce emissions, protect our oceans, and ensure the viability of the hundreds of destinations our guests and crew care so much about.”.
Destination Net Zero is the culmination of decades of progress and a deep commitment to integrating sustainability throughout the organization. Over the next 18 to 24 months, the cruise company will develop targets that will be validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the first commitment of its kind in the cruise industry.
Throughout the journey toward net zero, there will be key milestones to move forward. One of the most ambitious includes the delivery of a net zero cruise ship by 2035. To achieve something so ambitious, the company will rely on strong partnerships with governments, suppliers, and shipyards to develop alternative and affordable technologies and fuels.
The company's approach to achieving these measurable goals is built on its track record of designing and operating some of the most energy-efficient ships at sea. Through improved hull design and system upgrades, such as AC chillers that use 30-40% less energy, Royal Caribbean Group has consistently delivered a new generation of ships that are 20-25% more efficient than their predecessors.
From Silversea Cruises' Project "Evolution" - the cruise industry's first hybrid-propulsion ship, due to launch in summer 2023 - to the Kansas wind farm that will offset up to 12% of our scope 1 and 2 emissions per year, Royal Caribbean Group is already implementing its "Destination Net Zero" strategy to drive the development of emissions-reduction technology and alternative fuel solutions.
“Destination Net Zero” is based on four points or areas:
1) Modernizing our global brands' fleet through the introduction of 13 new energy-efficient and alternative-fuel ships, including the recently announced Project “Evolution” - the industry's first ship to eliminate all local emissions while in port.
2) Ongoing investment in energy efficiency programs for your fleet, including energy-saving technologies, improved data systems and digitization.
3) Development of alternative fuels and energy solutions.
4) Optimized deployment and integration of strategic land-based supply chains.
Royal Caribbean’s journey to reduce its environmental footprint began nearly 30 years ago with Save the Waves. Over the next three decades, protecting the planet’s limited natural resources evolved organically from a choice to a way of life for the company and its employees. In 2016, the Group built on this legacy of progress and commitment by partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). With the goal of ensuring the long-term health of the oceans and fulfilling a vision of more sustainable cruising, Royal Caribbean Group set ambitious targets for 2020 to reduce its environmental footprint, support ocean conservation globally, and raise awareness among the company’s more than 5 million guests about the importance of ocean conservation. This year, the company announced that it had met or exceeded its 2020 targets, with the exception of the sustainable seafood sourcing target (expected to be met in 2022), which was impacted by the suspension of voyages due to the pandemic.
“Destination Net Zero will help guide our decision-making over the next few years and is based on Royal Caribbean Group’s mantra of continuous improvement,” said Silvia Garrigo, Chief Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Officer of Royal Caribbean Group
“Ensuring the long-term health of our oceans requires collective action to effectively address climate change and limit warming,” said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of WWF. “Through our partnership, Royal Caribbean Group has embarked on a journey to improve its overall sustainability. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require innovation and collaboration at scale, and we at WWF look forward to working together to advance this milestone.”
