Month: September 2024

MIAMI, September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an estimated 40% of the global food supply is lost or wasted. In support of global efforts to tackle this important issue, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, remains committed to shrinking its “food print” – an important element in the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainable operations from ship to shore. As the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (Sept. 29) approaches, Carnival Corporation and its Italian cruise line, Costa Cruises, are sharing inspiring achievements and progress on food waste reduction goals that help support a more resilient food future.

Fighting Food Loss & Waste Across the Corporation 
Carnival Corporation has made significant progress in minimizing unused food across every aspect of food preparation, dining services and uneaten food disposal onboard its global fleet. Earlier this year, the company surpassed its 2025 food waste reduction goal, leveraging human ingenuity and new technologies to cut 42% of food loss and waste compared to five years ago (2019) and is tracking toward its 50% reduction target set for 2030.

Jan Swartz, executive vice president of strategic operations for Carnival Corporation, shared updates about the company’s food waste reduction progress at the annual Champions 12.3 event held earlier today during Climate Week NYC. The event, which brought together influential leaders and innovators who are driving change in the global food system, covered recent findings on the scale of food loss and waste, addressed the need for greater urgency, and shared learnings to find solutions to avoid the consequences of inaction.

Swartz joined the international coalition late last year, which is comprised of roughly 40 leaders across government, business and civil society dedicated to accelerating progress toward achieving Target 12.3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on food loss and waste. Swartz is the organization’s first Champion from the cruise industry.

Costa Cruises Expands “4GOODFOOD” Food Waste Reduction Project

As part of the company’s efforts to ensure food does not go to waste, its Costa Cruises line recently expanded its 4GOODFOOD program to donate prepared, unserved food to local community food banks.

Originally created in 2017 in what was a first for global shipping, Costa Cruises, together with the food bank charity Fondazione Banco Alimentare, introduced the surplus food donation program, which involves the retrieval of “ready to eat” meals prepared on board but not served in the ships’ dining establishments.

Most recently, Costa Cruises announced an agreement with Palma de Mallorca and Valencia to become the 15th and 16th ports to benefit from the program. To date, more than 300,000 portions of food have been donated throughout the Mediterranean and the Caribbean since the program’s inception.

“One of the many ways we create unforgettable happiness for our guests is through world-class food and dining experiences on our ships,” said Swartz. “We are committed to doing this responsibly, and we rely on the dedication and creativity of our 160,000 talented team members who constantly find new ways to reduce food waste from our operations, often while enhancing the guest experience.”

Swartz added: “Our goal is to have less uneaten food and, with the remaining food, find ways to ensure it doesn’t go to waste, like doing our part to help communities facing food scarcity.”

In addition to meal donations, phases of the 4GOODFOOD program have included revising more than 500 recipes to make meal production more efficient; using Winnow kitchen scales that analyze waste and losses to adjust food production and reduce the amount of food thrown away during the meal preparation process; training and engagement for galley staff; and implementing the “Too Good to Waste” campaign to raise awareness on the topic for guests and crew onboard.

Carnival Corporation is seeking to expand the meal donation program to other communities and is working with officials in the Caribbean and Latin America to determine its feasibility.

Additional details on the 4GOODFOOD program are available here. For more information on Carnival Corporation’s food waste reduction initiatives and long-term sustainability vision, visit the company’s dedicated report website, www.CarnivalSustainability.com.

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This release may include claims related to our greenhouse gas emissions reductions, goals, initiatives, accomplishments, and progress reports. Supporting data for such greenhouse gas emissions claims, including data verification information, is published in our Sustainability Reports on carnivalcorp.com/sustainability on an annual basis.

About Carnival Corporation & plc 
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.

For information on Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives, visit www.carnivalsustainability.com.

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:

Janna Rowell, Carnival Corporation, jrowell@carnival.com

Ellie Beuerman, LDWW, ellie@ldww.co

By Dan Lambe

“It’s Time.”

The theme for this year’s Climate Week NYC signals the urgent need for a shift in our approach to climate change. In many ways, the fight against the climate crisis has been routinely dominated by conversation. Important conversation, of course. Talks that have changed minds and hearts and brought more people into the fold. Speeches that have inspired, pledges that have wowed, and convenings that have helped us take crucial steps forward.

But now, it’s time for climate action to be dominated by actual action. Dreaming of a better, healthier future for our planet won’t make it so. What comes next will grow from what we do right now. If we hold tight to hesitancy, climate change will take advantage of our passivity and we — as a global community — will feel the consequences.

It’s time to be bold.

This is particularly true for the private sector, which plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change. Business and corporate leaders are uniquely positioned to drive momentum around climate issues in ways most individuals simply can’t. Their position of public influence and their access to financial resources give them the tools to make a meaningful impact on our planet. Thankfully, many private sector leaders are choosing to make that impact through trees.

Science shows reforestation is one of the most effective strategies for mitigating climate change and, according to McKinsey & Co, it’s also one of the most affordable. As they pull carbon from the air, trees and forests are regularly contributing to the well-being of our lives. More than 75% of the world’s water supply originates from forests. In the U.S., trees and forests remove more than 17 million tons of air pollution. They improve mental health, minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and reduce life-threatening heat. Trees are powerful, and when corporate changemakers help employ them in the right ways and in the right places, they can be transformational.

Given the magnitude and importance of this work, we know we can’t go at it alone. Collaboration is a key part of tree planting and it’s crucial to addressing the many effects of climate change. We can do more together than we can alone.

That’s why the Arbor Day Foundation is proud to mark the beginning of a new project in New York City that highlights the power of partnerships. Riverside Park South was once the home of an industrial rail yard and over many decades, local leaders have been able to give the site a second life as a greenspace. But they’ve struggled to obtain the resources needed to plant a thriving urban forest. Until now.

Verizon, DoubleVerify, Maesa, UPS, Angel’s Envy, and DraftKings have all stepped up to help plant trees in Riverside Park South. The project aims to bring 400 trees to the park, with the first 100 trees planted this week. This work not only unites these six organizations but will also include collaboration from the New York City Parks Foundation and engage Climate Week NYC attendees as volunteers. The trees planted here will provide shade for nearby residents and improve stormwater management.

This is the kind of tangible commitment we need from more corporate leaders. We need companies to raise their hand and ask, “How can I help?” And we need it to happen now. Not in ten years. Not when solutions are deemed “perfect.” Not when deadlines for net-zero goals are around the corner.

I urge all business leaders in attendance at Climate Week NYC to spend time considering how they can turn big goals into concrete plans and accelerate their impact. The fight against climate change needs the innovation, resources, and reach of the private sector. We can’t do this without you.

It’s time to take action.

Dan Lambe is CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. He can be reached at dlambe@arborday.org.