Royal Caribbean Group 's Galveston Cruise Terminal (GCT) has become the first cruise terminal to formally achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Net Zero Energy and LEED Net Zero Carbon certifications for its ongoing operations. These two new certifications complement the LEED Gold certification Royal Caribbean Group had already received for the design and construction of the terminal, which began operations in November 2022.
“Obtaining three prestigious LEED certifications in less than three years is a testament to Royal Caribbean Group’s mission to provide the best vacations in a responsible manner, as well as the incredible effort of our partners at SSA Marine, CodeGreen, and the Port of Galveston,” said Joshua Carroll, senior vice president of Destination Development for Royal Caribbean Group.
Developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a globally recognized certification system and framework for identifying and implementing practical sustainable building strategies.
LEED Zero Carbon certification recognizes buildings that operate with net-zero carbon emissions during the previous year, while LEED Zero Energy certification recognizes buildings that achieve a net-zero energy use balance in the same period.
“Earning LEED certification is more than implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to improve as well,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role buildings play in that effort, Royal Caribbean Group is leading the way through its LEED certifications.”.
The Royal Caribbean Group Destination Development team, terminal operator SSA Marine, and environmental consulting firm CodeGreen collaborated on the project. CodeGreen conducted audits and benchmarks of the terminal’s energy, water, and waste usage. SSA Marine’s operations team used these metrics to implement necessary improvements and upgrades—including retrofitting building systems—to achieve peak performance. This year-long process concluded in March 2025, and the two Net Zero were awarded on June 18, 2025.
To commemorate these achievements, a commemorative plaque was placed in the main lobby of the terminal, as a testament to Royal Caribbean Group's commitment to sustainability and to providing vacations in a responsible manner.
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