By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its member cruise lines have pledged to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, making the cruise sector the first in the maritime industry to jointly commit to reducing its carbon footprint.
While CLIA’s member cruise lines already have their own programmes for reducing waste and protecting the oceans, this is the first time they have developed a joint initiative to improve the overall environmental sustainability of the global cruise industry. The cruise operators plan to achieve the 40% reduction by installing various innovative technologies onboard their vessels. This will include advanced air quality systems that reduce ship exhaust emissions by up to 98%, LNG engines, environmentally friendly propulsion systems and more.
CLIA will measure progress towards its 40% target against a 2008 fleet baseline on an annual basis. Emissions rates will be calculated based on the industry fleet’s total carbon emissions, total ship berths and total distance travelled.
“Today’s announcement is a tribute to cross-industry collaboration and a shared commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Arnold Donald, global chairman of CLIA, and president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We aspire to the International Maritime Organization’s vision of a carbon-free shipping industry by the end of the century. Our 40% commitment is a strong first step toward realising that vision.”