Carnival Corporation has published its annual sustainability report, detailing initiatives and progress in the areas of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). The report also outlines the significant strides the company has made toward its goals of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2050 and a circular economy model focused on waste reduction, recycling, and management.
“We are setting the pace with the industry’s smartest sustainable cruising solutions that will help us meet our aggressive roadmap to reduce our carbon impact, maximize our resource use, and further improve our operations to be even more efficient by 2030,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO and Chief Climate Officer of Carnival Corporation.
In 2022, when almost 100% of Carnival Corporation's entire fleet returned to guest cruise operations, the company continued to prioritize sustainability, making great strides toward its 2030 goals and setting the pace for industry leadership in achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2050, well ahead of current International Maritime Organization targets.
Progress on the path to decarbonization
Carnival Corporation remains the only major cruise operator producing fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions today than in 2011. The company is on track to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030, and a 20% reduction in carbon intensity by 2031, as a result of the strong momentum of its four-part decarbonization strategy: fleet optimization; energy efficiency; itinerary efficiency; and new technologies and alternative fuels.
Collectively, these strategic initiatives are expected to drive a 15% reduction in fuel consumption per available lower berth day (ALBD) in 2023, along with a 15% reduction in emissions per ALBD, both relative to 2019.
In addition, the company completed its first Scope 3 “value chain” emissions inventory associated with purchased goods and services, fuel and energy distribution/delivery, and waste management, among others.
Other highlights of decarbonization in 2022 include:
Invest in energy-efficient solutions:
- Service energy packages.
- Electricity in port.
- Air lubrication systems (ALS).
Pioneering new technologies and alternative fuels:
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- Batteries and fuel cells: Piloting the world's largest battery installation on a passenger ship.
- Biofuels.
- Associations.
Contribution to the circular economy
Carnival Corporation has continued to optimize its circular economy model to use fewer resources, produce less waste, and maximize recycling. Key achievements in 2022 include:
Reducing the company's food footprint:
- Food surplus.
- Biodigesters.
- Dehydrators.
Withdrawal and replacement of items with sustainable alternatives:
- Single-use items.
- Supply chain partners.
Carnival Corporation continued to cultivate a workforce that reflects the diversity of the 700 ports and destinations it visits around the world.
“Our approach to sustainability is underpinned by science and driven by data, enabling us to take decisive actions that have a truly meaningful impact and inspire real change,” said Weinstein. “We are fortunate to have a global team of 160,000 talented people who are passionately committed to honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail, every place we visit, and every life we touch.”
