Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce its environmental footprint, raise awareness about ocean conservation and support WWF’s global oceans conservation work.
The deal marks the start of a 5-year global collaboration during which both companies will work towards achieving RCL’s new sustainability targets to significantly reduce RCL’s impact on the environment by 2020.
The targets are aimed at supply chain sustainability and emissions reductions, as well as strengthening RCL’s sustainable sourcing strategy and its destination stewardship and sustainable tour operations platforms. The Carbon Emissions 2020 Target states that the cruise line must reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35%.
The Sustainable Seafood 2020 Target, which relates to the sustainability fo seafood products that they use, specifies that RCL must source 90% of theirs wild-caught seafood from MSC certified sustainable fisheries. It also states that RCL must source 75% of their farmed seafood by volume from ASC certified responsible farms across North America and Europe. Through the Sustainable Seafood target, RCL will, by June 30 2016, also set specific traceability goals to strengthen destination sustainability with targets for obtaining MSC and ASC chain of custody.
RCL will also support WWF’s global ocean conservation work through a US $5 million financial contribution and will work with WWF to build awareness about ocean conservation issues among RCL’s passengers.
WWF state that the drop of nearly 50% of ocean wildlife populations in the last 30 years now requires repair, restoration and protection through specific and measureable targets, sustainable sourcing, destination stewardship and engagement of travellers. RCL believes that it can assist by providing continuous improvement and social responsibility through its operations and setting aggressive targets for ocean sustainability.
