According to a press release issued today, Carnival Corporation and its AIDA Cruises
line were honored with three ESG Shipping Awards for environmental excellence at an international ceremony in Athens, Greece this week.
The ESG Shipping Awards International 2024, the world’s inaugural event of its kind, was established in partnership with the Ministry of Shipping and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping. Awards were presented in 11 categories to recognize companies in the global shipping industry that demonstrate innovation and exceptional commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
“We’re committed to leading the way in sustainable cruising and are incredibly proud to be recognized for the remarkable progress we’ve made toward cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reducing food waste across every aspect of our operation,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer. “The programs honored in the ESG Shipping Awards are just three of countless examples of decisive actions we’re taking to shrink our environmental footprint and pursue net zero GHG emission by 2050.”
Carnival Corporation and AIDA Cruises were recognized in the following categories:
Gold Climate Change Leader Award:
Carnival Corporation received top honors for its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) program, a fuel technology it pioneered within the cruise industry as the best readily available fuel to deliver immediate GHG reductions. The 10 LNG-capable ships Carnival Corporation currently has in operation, in addition to three more expected for delivery, will collectively represent approximately 25% of its total fleet capacity by 2028 and are adaptable for renewable fuels when they become widely available. By investing in LNG powered ships and taking other decisive climate actions, the company is producing 10+% less total GHG emissions today than 2011, its peak historical year.
Gold Technology Leader Award:
AIDA Cruises was recognized for having onboard AIDAprima the largest lithium-ion battery energy storage system in passenger shipping, with a capacity of 10-megawatt hours. Installed in 2022 and extensively tested in 2023, this innovative technology can be used to supply energy to the ship and allows it to operate in a net-zero emission mode for limited periods of time. This next-generation battery storage system is just one example of AIDA’s important efforts to reduce GHG emissions across its fleet.
Bronze Environment Leader Award:
Carnival Corporation was also awarded for its aggressive food waste reduction actions to minimize unused food across every aspect of food preparation and dining services onboard. This includes investments in innovative food waste management technologies such as biodigesters and dehydrators that naturally break down and responsibly dispose of unused food. Together, these strategies help reduce the company’s “foodprint,” delivering a 40+% reduction in food waste per person relative to its 2019 baseline. This performance surpasses the company’s 2025 goal, building increased momentum toward its 50% reduction target set for 2030.
Collectively, these recognitions underscore Carnival Corporation’s commitment to sustainability leadership and to reducing the company’s environmental impact. For more information on the company’s long-term sustainability vision and progress under its six focus areas – climate action; circular economy; sustainable tourism; good health and well-being; diversity, equity and inclusion; and biodiversity and conservation – visit Carnival Corporation’s dedicated report website, www.CarnivalSustainability.com.
