EU cruise study recognises ESI as good practice

The European Commission recently published the findings of an elaborate study prepared by Deloitte and Ramboll, which gathered and analysed available evidence to support cruise stakeholders in moving forward on sustainability. The study comes with a selection of good practices, which the cruise industry can look to for learnings, ranging from onshore power supply, LNG bunkering, sustainable cruise terminals, food waste reduction and waste treatment to a holistic approach to destination management. The best practices also include the IAPH Environmental Ship Index ‘at berth module’, which is currently being developed as a pilot project for the environmental performance of cruise ships at berth for each port call. The EU-funded study took place against a policy background of the European Green Deal, the European Commission’s new approach to sustainable blue economy and the development of a transition pathway for tourism. The study looked at the economic, social and environmental ‘as-is’, examined the most promising responses to the challenges, measured economic impact, and documented regulatory and non-regulatory environmental and social frameworks. The researchers conclude that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. There is uncertainty about cost and regulation. Local specificities are important as thirteen destination case studies illustrated. However, adopting clear environmental goals, circular economy principles, energy efficiency and fuel flexibility, and collaboration across the ecosystem are no-regrets measures that can be taken now.

 

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