Together, with its first Community Impact Report, the company details its progress its net-zero ambitions and supporting the communities it visits.
MIAMI – Royal Caribbean Group released its annual Seastainability Report, outlining milestones the company reached on its mission to deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly. Driven by its SEA the Future initiative, the company has advanced its commitment to sustain the planet, energize communities, and accelerate 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, completing successful biofuel trials across Europe and introducing the maritime industry’s first waste-to-energy system onboard a ship.
“I am proud to share the encouraging results from 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, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Marking the halfway point to our carbon intensity target is a key milestone that builds on our history of innovation and collaboration as we continue driving forward solutions that advance the industry’s net zero future.”
The publication of its first Community Impact Report dives into the breadth of work Royal Caribbean Group completed in 2023 to engage communities, celebrate its culture, and promote economic resiliency in the destinations they visit.
The goals and strategies presented in both reports highlight Royal Caribbean Group’s progress in building toward a sustainable and better tomorrow. Highlights from the reports include:
Sustaining the Planet
- 6.8% reduction in carbon intensity, reaching more than half of its double-digit carbon intensity reduction target
- An expanded energy portfolio following successful biofuel trials which confirmed that “drop in” percentages of the alternative fuel can be used without needing to modify engines or impact onboard technical systems
- Increased local sourcing globally, reducing miles traveled by 37% – supporting not only the communities it visits, but also reducing its Scope 3 emissions in certain regions
- Helped protect marine species through Shellbank, an innovative genetic technology program, that matches DNA for critically endangered sea turtles to known locations in order to determine priority conservation sites and prevent illegal harvesting
Energizing Communities
- Launched Royal Caribbean International’s Artist Discovery Program, prominently showcasing up-and-coming local Caribbean artists on board the company’s newest ship Icon of the Seas
- Designed unique trainings for Bahamian entrepreneurs participating in the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Royal Caribbean Kickstarter Programme, created to empower local tourism-related businesses
- Introduced our first accessible Star Class suite on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas
Accelerating Innovation
- Introduced the first at-sea waste-to-energy systems which debuted on Silver Nova and Icon of the Seas
- Began construction on first tri-fuel methanol capable ship, Celebrity Xcel
- Renewed partnership with University of Miami’s OceanScope committing additional funds, building on two decades of ocean conservation and research aboard Royal Caribbean Group ships
With a sustainability journey that began over 30 years ago, Royal Caribbean Group introduced an industry-leading recycling program Save the Waves and the first Environmental Officer onboard a cruise ship. Today the company continues to innovate and connect people to the world’s most beautiful places in a way that respects and protects the ocean and communities it visits. Laser focused on improving its energy efficiency, treating the water they use and diverting waste from landfill, the company is moving closer to Destination Net Zero ambition, its target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
