A message from Josh Weinstein, President & CEO and Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation and plc.
On Earth Day we’re reminded of our incredible planet and our shared responsibility to protect it. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously and core to our mission of delivering unforgettable happiness by providing extraordinary cruise vacations to millions of guests while honouring the integrity of every ocean we sail, place we visit and life we touch. That’s why we work hard to lead the way in sustainable cruising.
Our newly released 14th annual Sustainability Report details our remarkable performance from ship to shore toward our 2030 sustainability goals in six focus areas. Thanks to your dedication and determination in helping us reduce our environmental impact, there are several 2030 targets we’ve already beat or are on track to reach ahead of schedule.
One standout achievement is our 10% reduction in total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023 compared to our peak in 2011, despite growing guest capacity by 30+% during that time. We also accelerated our commitment to cutting GHG intensity by 20% in 2026 – four years ahead of the IMO’s short-term emissions intensity reduction goal. Way to go team!
Of course, sustainability extends beyond climate action and you’re doing amazing work in other areas too.
Throughout the company, we’re embracing circular economy principles to minimise waste and maximise resource use. As proof, you’ve slashed food waste by a whopping 42% vs. 2019, blowing past our 2025 goal of a 40% reduction and on the way to cutting food waste by 50% by 2030.
You’ve also helped eliminate 500+ million single-use items from our fleet, demonstrating considerable progress toward another important circular economy goal. These outstanding accomplishments couldn’t happen without your focused execution every single day.
Teaming up to advance sustainability industrywide
We know sustainability isn’t a solo act – it takes businesses, communities, and nations coming together to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. So, we’re amplifying our impact by actively building coalitions and fostering collaboration to tackle our most critical issues head-on.
For example, we’ve surpassed our 2030 shore power goal and now two thirds of our fleet is capable of “plugging in.” However, limited ports are equipped with shore power. So, we’re working with our destination partners to help identify public funding and other resources to advance adoption of this important technology.
Similarly, we helped mobilise our cruise and maritime peers to establish the Sustainable Maritime Fuel Alliance to advocate for policy supporting the development and widespread availability of low and no-emission maritime fuels. Notably, our Chief Maritime Officer Bill Burke recently delivered a compelling case at a U.S. Congressional Ports Caucus briefing, urging policymakers to play a bigger role in kick-starting and cultivating a thriving, sustainable maritime fuel ecosystem.
Find out more about all our initiatives at carnivalsustainability.com. And a sincere thanks to YOU – the heroes of our sustainability story. Your work is making a positive impact. Through ambitious goals and collaborative efforts across the industry, together we’re building a sustainable future for cruising!
Happy Earth Day and thanks again for all you do.
Sincerely,
Josh
Josh Weinstein
President & CEO and Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation and plc.