In 2023, Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s largest cruise operator, was found to be the most climate-polluting cruise company operating in Europe, surpassing the carbon emissions of Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. This revelation comes from a new report by the campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E), which highlighted the environmental impact of the cruise industry, despite significant efforts by Carnival to reduce its carbon footprint.
Emissions Comparison: Carnival vs Glasgow
According to the report, Carnival’s Europe-bound fleet emitted a staggering 2.55 million tonnes of CO2 in 2023, which is more than the 2.43 million tonnes produced by Glasgow in 2021. To put this in perspective, Glasgow has a population of about 620,700, while Carnival’s emissions are the result of 53 cruise ships operating in the European Economic Area (EEA).
In comparison, MSC Cruises emitted 1.4 million tonnes and Norwegian Cruise Line emitted 840,000 tonnes of CO2. These figures were derived from official data submitted by vessels operating in the EEA, as mandated by EU law.
The Impact of Larger Ships
While larger cruise companies tend to operate more ships, the report emphasizes that bigger ships are not necessarily better when it comes to emissions. Jacob Armstrong, shipping policy manager at T&E, explained that the sheer size of Carnival’s fleet and vessels directly correlates to its high emissions output.
Cruising, as an industry, has seen significant growth in recent decades. The number of cruise vessels has soared from 21 ships in the 1970s to 515 today, and ships have more than doubled in size since the year 2000.
Carnival’s Environmental Initiatives
Despite its leading position as the most polluting cruise line, Carnival has made substantial investments in cleaner technologies. The company claims to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on environmental solutions, and its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were 9.65 million tonnes, a reduction from 10.9 million tonnes in 2011.
A Carnival spokesperson stated that the company was on track to reduce emissions per passenger-equivalent by 40% by 2026, compared to 2008 levels. Additionally, the company has introduced scrubber systems to reduce air pollution, though these systems have been criticized for converting air pollutants into toxic water, which can further damage marine ecosystems.
Criticism from Environmental Groups
Despite these efforts, Carnival has faced significant criticism from environmental organizations. In a 2024 ranking by Friends of the Earth (FoE) US, Carnival scored the lowest among 21 cruise lines. The report awarded Carnival’s nine subsidiaries—including P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard—a grade of F for their environmental performance. Factors contributing to the low score included a reliance on dirty bunker fuel and a lack of comprehensive shore power capabilities at ports.
Marcie Keever, the ocean and vessels program director at FoE, expressed concerns over Carnival’s continued use of scrubbers, which are seen as a workaround for using more polluting fuels. “Scrubbers allow ships to convert their air pollution into toxic water pollution, and they can use bunker fuel which is dirty and cheap,” Keever said.
Progress in the Industry
While Carnival’s environmental efforts have been called into question, some cruise lines are making notable progress. For example, Hurtigruten and Hurtigruten Expeditions scored a B+ in the FoE report for their commitment to shore power and avoiding scrubbers, while Disney Cruise Line earned a B. These companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by plugging into shore power at ports, which allows ships to turn off their engines and reduce emissions while docked.
The Road Ahead: Cruise Industry Emissions
As the cruise industry continues to grow, its environmental impact remains a contentious issue. The sector is one of the fastest-growing tourism industries, but its carbon footprint is significant. The industry’s emissions are expected to remain high unless more sustainable practices, such as using low-emission fuels, shore power, and energy-efficient vessels, are widely adopted across all cruise lines.
In conclusion, despite Carnival’s investments in cleaner technologies, its 2023 emissions still overshadow those of major cities like Glasgow, drawing attention to the significant environmental challenges facing the cruise industry. The push for cleaner, more sustainable practices continues, but substantial progress will be needed for the sector to reduce its carbon footprint and align with global climate goals.
