Royal Caribbean Group has published its annual Seastainability Report, which describes the milestones achieved by the company in its mission to offer the best vacation experiences in a responsible manner.
Driven by its SEA the Future, the company has made progress in its commitment to sustaining the planet, energizing communities and accelerating innovation.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean Group made significant progress toward its net-zero vision, including achieving more than half of the company’s carbon intensity reduction target, successfully completing biofuel trials across Europe, and introducing the maritime industry’s first waste-to-energy conversion system onboard a ship.
“I am proud to share the encouraging results of our SEA the Future efforts in our annual Seastainability Report and our first Community Impact Report, which underscore the strength of our commitment to the environment, the communities we visit, and our people,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“Marking the halfway point towards our carbon intensity target is a key milestone that builds on our history of innovation and collaboration as we continue to drive solutions that promote the industry's net-zero future.”
The publication of its first Community Impact Report delves into the breadth of work that Royal Caribbean Group completed in 2023 to engage communities, celebrate their culture and promote economic resilience in the destinations they visit.
The goals and strategies presented in both reports highlight the Royal Caribbean Group's progress in building a sustainable future. Key highlights of the reports include:
Sustainability of the planet
- Reduction of carbon intensity by 6.8%, reaching more than half of its target of reducing carbon intensity by two digits.
- Expansion of the energy portfolio following the success of the biofuel trials, which confirm that "drop-in" percentages of the alternative fuel can be used without the need to modify the engines or affect the on-board technical systems.
- Increased local sourcing worldwide, reducing kilometers traveled by 37%, thereby not only supporting the communities it visits, but also reducing its Scope 3 emissions in certain regions.
- It helps protect marine species through Shellbank, a genetic technology program that matches the DNA of critically endangered sea turtles with known locations to determine priority conservation sites and prevent illegal capture.
Communities full of energy
- Royal Caribbean International launches its Artist Discovery Program, prominently featuring local Caribbean artists aboard the company's newest ship, the Icon of the Seas.
- Design of exclusive training courses for Bahamian entrepreneurs participating in the Royal Caribbean Small Business Development Center Kickstarter Program, created to boost local tourism-related businesses.
- First accessible Star Class suite on Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas.
Accelerating innovation
- The first waste-to-energy conversion systems at sea, which debuted on Silver Nova and Icon of the Seas.
- Construction begins on the first ship with capacity for three methanol fuels, Celebrity Xcel.
- Renewal of the partnership with OceanScope, of the University of Miami, committing additional funds, building on two decades of ocean research and conservation aboard Royal Caribbean Group ships.
Royal Caribbean Group continues to innovate to protect the ocean and the communities it visits. Focused on improving its energy efficiency, treating the water it uses, and diverting waste from landfills, the company is moving ever closer to its Destination Net Zero ambition—its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
