Major cruise line enterprises target zero carbon emissions by 2050 - Questioning their feasibility
Cruising's Potent Environmental Wave
The world's seas and rivers are feeling the cruise industry's growing influence. With more ships carrying passengers, concerns over the sector's environmental impact are mounting.
In a booming market, cruise lines are sailing strong. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that in 2024, there were over 300 CLIA member ships, boasting a capacity of 635,000 passengers. In 2023, pre-pandemic recovery saw a record-breaking 31.7 million passengers embarking on cruises, generating a staggering $168.6 billion in economic impact[B1]. Future projections indicate continuous growth, with about two dozen vessels—capable of accommodating 40,000 passengers each—set to launch this year.
Yet, the highly publicized environmental concerns have persisted.
Cruise Lines: Gas Guzzlers on Waterways?
"Sustainability is a complex issue, and I wouldn'tiónit disagree to find a simple answer to such a vast concern," Akvile Marozaite, CEO of Expedition Cruise Network, a voice for companies using smaller vessels to explore remote destinations, notes.
To fully grasp the problem, it's crucial to understand the industry's scale in the global travel and tourism sector. Cruising comprises merely 2% of the overall industry and makes up less than 1% of the world's commercial fleet, dominated by cargo ships, tankers, and ferries.
However, this does not diminish cruise ships' substantial environmental footprint. A medium-sized cruise liner can emit as much pollution as 12,000 cars, highlighting the sector's considerable impact[E1]. This pollution includes sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), contributing to air pollution. For example, Carnival Corporation was reported to emit nearly 10 times more SOx than all European cars combined in 2017 around European coasts[E2].
Steering Towards Sustainability
The industry is addressing these issues. There's been progress in emissions reduction. In Europe, cruise ships have achieved an average CO2 emissions decrease since 2018, and emissions in the Mediterranean have decreased by 16.6% due to new regulations and fleet modernization[E3]. Additionally, cruise companies aim to be net-zero by 2050, with strategies like adopting cleaner fuels, enhancing waste management, and utilizing shore power to reduce emissions at ports[E4].
The industry is also embracing technological innovations, such as cleaner fuel options like LNG and hydrogen, and more efficient ship designs, to lessen its impact[E1].
Sailing Against the Current
Yet, challenges remain. Stricter marine fuel standards are needed to bolster progress. Unfortunately, many regions continue to allow cruise ships to burn high-sulphur fuels[E2]. Yet, rising public awareness and environmental pressure are pushing the industry towards more sustainable practices[E4].
Balancing sustainability with the growing demand for cruises may prove challenging. With the industry set to grow, striking the right balance between eco-friendliness and tourist satisfaction becomes increasingly significant.
- As the cruise industry expands, concerns about its environmental impact are escalating, with some cruise ships emitting as much pollution as 12,000 cars.
- In the global travel and tourism sector, cruising represents just 2%, yet its environmental footprint is significant due to pollution such as sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides.
- Cruise lines are actively addressing environmental concerns, making progress in emissions reduction, adopting cleaner fuels, and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
- The industry is also exploring technological innovations like LNG and hydrogen fuel, and more efficient ship designs to minimize its impact on the environment.
- Balancing sustainability with the growing demand for cruises is becoming increasingly important, as the industry aims to strike a balance between eco-friendliness and tourist satisfaction.
- Stricter marine fuel standards are needed to further reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices within the cruise industry, as highlighted by the increasing public awareness and environmental pressure.
