Having met or exceeded nearly all of its 2020 sustainability targets that include reducing 35% of greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels, the Royal Caribbean Group is continuing to pave the way for sustainability with new goals to conserve the ocean.
“We believe that what gets measured gets better. Sustainability is a core area for our business, and this report reflects our successes and challenges over the past year,” Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said.
“While I’m proud of the progress we have achieved, the importance of this area has grown exponentially,” Fain added. “Consistent with our mantra of continuous improvement, we have significantly expanded our aspirations in this critical area and are setting even more aggressive goals for the coming years.”
Energy and emission reduction
One of Royal Caribbean’s new sustainability targets set in 2020 was to reduce its emission an additional 25% by 2025, after achieving its 35% reduction from a 2005 baseline. To date, 70% of Royal Caribbean’s ships are equipped with purification systems that remove 98% of sulfur dioxide from its emissions. In addition to that, the rest of its vessels have completed fuel modifications and are ready to sail on compliant fuel.
Farewell to single-use plastics
In its effort to move towards zero waste, Royal Caribbean removed 60% of single-use plastics that comprise plastic straws, coffee creamer containers, stirrers, picks, and condiment packets. Whenever possible, Royal Caribbean works with its suppliers to reduce packaging, switching it out with more sustainable resources. On top of that, all trach on board is hand-sorted by its crewmembers to determine what can be recycled.
Conservation of fresh water
While 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water, freshwater makes up a very small fraction of that. With that understanding in mind, Royal Caribbean goes to great lengths to produce fresh water to ensure that it does not deplete the earth’s natural supply. About 90% of fresh water on board Royal Caribbean’s vessels are obtained via reverse osmosis or desalination, and is used for drinking, showers, sinks, toilets, galleys, pools and spas.