DONSOL, Philippines, Jan. 25,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)
and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced today a five-year global
partnership to help ensure the long-term health of the oceans.
The partners will set measurable and achievable sustainability
targets that will reduce Royal Caribbean's environmental footprint,
raise awareness about ocean conservation among the company's more
than five million guests, and support WWF's global oceans
conservation work.
The targets announced today focus on supply chain sustainability
and emissions reductions through 2020. Royal Caribbean and WWF also are working together to
develop targets aimed at strengthening the company's sustainable
sourcing strategy and its destination stewardship and
sustainable tour operations platforms.
"Our mantra at Royal Caribbean is 'Continuous Improvement,' and
this partnership with WWF represents a great opportunity to make a
big step forward in meeting our special responsibility to protect
the oceans," said Richard D. Fain,
Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "It is also
gratifying to see that our determination to make a meaningful
difference is shared by our employees and our guests. This new
partnership aligns all of us at RCL with WWF's mission to conserve
the world's oceans. Together we are setting aggressive goals and
together we will start implementing them right away."
"The threats that are facing the ocean are greater than ever –
in the last 30 years, some ocean wildlife populations have declined
by nearly 50 percent. If we are going to reverse the downward
trends, we must take serious steps to repair, restore and protect
the oceans," said Carter Roberts,
WWF-US President and CEO. "This initiative centers on two core
concepts: first, committing to specific and measurable targets to
reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainable sourcing and build
destination stewardship; and second, comprehensively engaging their
millions of travelers to learn about the ocean and then act to help
save it."
Royal Caribbean Cruises and WWF jointly developed new 2020
environmental sustainability targets for the company that
includes:
Carbon Emissions 2020 Target:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020.
Sustainable Seafood 2020 Target
- Responsibly source 90% of its wild-caught seafood by volume
from MSC certified sustainable fisheries, fisheries in full
assessment for MSC certification, comprehensive Fishery Improvement
Projects (FIPs), and/or sourced from International Seafood
Sustainability Association (ISSA) member companies.
- In North America and
Europe operations, responsibly
source 75% of its farmed seafood by volume from ASC certified
responsible farms, farms in full assessment for ASC certification,
and/or comprehensive aquaculture improvement projects.
- In addition, by June 30, 2016,
RCL will set specific traceability goals with targets for obtaining
MSC and ASC chain of custody.
In addition, Royal Caribbean and WWF have agreed to develop and
announce new targets by June 30 that
will address destination stewardship. As part of this, WWF and RCL
will collaborate to strengthen RCL's destination sustainability
assessment and selection process.
Royal Caribbean also will
financially support WWF's global ocean conservation work through a
$5 million philanthropic contribution
during the partnership, and will collaborate with WWF to build
global awareness about ocean conservation issues among its millions
of passengers.
The organizations made their announcement at an event in Donsol,
Sorsogon, Philippines that is home
to a model community-based ecotourism program. At the event, RCL
also made a separate, $200,000
donation to WWF Philippines in support of conservation programs in
the Donsol area.
For more information about the Royal Caribbean's efforts and the
WWF partnership, visit: www.rclcorporate.com/community
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd:
Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company
that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises,
Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50
percent joint venture. Together, these six brands operate a
combined total of 43 ships with an additional six under
construction contracts, and two on firm order. They operate diverse
itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490
destinations on all seven continents.
About World Wildlife Fund:
WWF is one of the world's
leading conservation organizations, working in 100 countries for
over half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members
worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions
to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the
degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit
www.worldwildlife.org to learn more and follow our news
conversations on Twitter @World_Wildlife.
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SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.