Cruise lines ‘ignoring sustainability’: report
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The cruise industry has been accused of ignoring sustainability in a new report released by Leeds Metropolitan University.
A study in the Tourism Management journal has criticised cruise lines for not taking corporate social responsibility (CSR) seriously and has created an index based on reports that are issued from cruise lines.
The report found 65% of the 80 cruise companies worldwide do not mention CSR on their websites, while only 12 published CSR reports.
All 12 of these lines were names under the Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, TUI and Disney Cruises.
“Companies mostly report on their corporate vision and strategy, their credentials and their governance and management systems, but they fail to report on actual performance data on many key environmental and socio-economic indicators. Reporting on emissions, effluents, waste or water is the result of eco-saving strategies and regulatory pressure. But not one of the 80 companies reports on the sustainability of the resources consumed or biodiversity actions, and few disclose their positive social or economic impact on destinations,” said Dr Xavier Font, the lead author of the study.
He said cruise lines should be more transparent about discharges and how waste is dealt with on ships, as well as their true contribution to the economy and lives of those living in the destinations that are visited.
Cruise News has not seen the article but from talking to the industry knows many cruise lines are involved in communities or setting up CSR projects around the world. Some are also looking to use more local produce in their kitchens or put measures into place to reduce their carbon footprint, such as making sure ships are full when moving from one port to another instead of sailing empty. Others are switching to using more local suppliers for transport or attractions while in port.
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