PR92676

MIAMI, Oct. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Comprehensive plan includes pledge to pursue Science-Based Targets, the

delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship, and a path to net zero emissions

by 2050

Today Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced a giant step on its

sustainability journey: Destination Net Zero, a comprehensive decarbonization

strategy that includes pledging to establish Science-Based Targets (SBT) and

achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

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"Decades ago, we set out on a course to advance sustainability; our vision now

is to realize carbon-free cruising over the next two decades," said Richard

Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "Today we are announcing the

most important destination of all in our company's history – Destination Net

Zero – an ambitious strategy to cut emissions, protect our oceans, and ensure

the viability of the hundreds of destinations that our guests and crew members

care deeply about."

INTRODUCING DESTINATION NET ZERO

Royal Caribbean Group's Destination Net Zero builds on decades of progress and

a deep sense of responsibility to embed sustainability throughout the

organization.

Over 18 to 24 months, the cruise company will develop goals to be validated by

the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first such pledge for the

cruise industry. The work will begin following the publication of SBTi's marine

transport methodology. Science-based targets show companies how much, and how

quickly, they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help limit

global warming.

Along the journey to net zero, key milestones will be critical to making

progress. One of the most ambitious milestones includes the delivery of a net

zero cruise ship by 2035. To achieve these ambitions, the company will rely on

strong partnerships with governments, suppliers and shipyards to develop

alternative and accessible fuels and technology.

The company's focus on achieving these measurable goals builds on its track

record of designing and operating some of the most energy efficient ships on

the seas. Thanks to optimized hull design and system upgrades such as AC

chillers utilizing 30-40% less energy, Royal Caribbean Group has consistently

delivered a new generation of ships 20-25% more efficient than their

predecessors.  

From Silversea Cruises' 'Project Evolution' – the cruise industry's first

hybrid-powered ship set to debut summer 2023 – to the wind farm in Kansas that

will offset up to 12% of our scope 1 and 2 emissions per year, Royal Caribbean

Group is already executing on its Destination Net Zero strategy to drive the

development of emissions-reducing technology and alternative fuel solutions.

"Royal Caribbean Group has a history of innovating in every aspect and level of

the company," said William K. Reilly, chairman, Royal Caribbean Group's board

of directors' safety, environment, and health committee. "This is another

important step on the serious and ambitious path to preserve the health and

allure of the sea and the beauty of the oceans."

Destination Net Zero's four-pronged approach includes:

    1. Modernization of our global brands fleet through the introduction of 13

       new energy-efficient and alternatively fueled vessels, including its

       recently announced 'Project Evolution' — the industry's first ship to

       remove all local emissions while at port.

    2. Continued investment in energy efficiency programs for its fleet,

       including energy saving technologies, enhanced data systems and

       digitalization.

    3. Development of alternative fuel and alternative power solutions.

    4. Optimized deployment and integration of strategic shore-based supply

       chains.

THE NEXT CHAPTER OF A 30-YEAR VOYAGE

Royal Caribbean Group's journey to reducing its environmental footprint began

nearly 30 years ago with Save the Waves, an ambitious effort that grew from a

recycling program into a company-wide approach to embedding challenging,

achievable, measurable sustainability targets into the bedrock of the company's

culture. Over the ensuing three decades, protecting the planet's finite natural

resources evolved organically from a choice to a way of life for the company

and its employees.

In 2016, the Group built on this legacy of progress and commitment by embarking

on a partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF). With the goal of ensuring the

long-term health of the oceans and fulfilling a vision of more sustainable

cruising, Royal Caribbean Group established ambitious initial 2020 targets to

reduce its environmental footprint, support ocean conservation globally and

raise awareness among the company's more than 5 million passengers about the

importance of ocean conservation. Earlier this year, it announced it had met or

exceeded its 2020 goals, with the exception of a sustainable seafood sourcing

target (now expected to be met by 2022) that was impacted by the travel

suspension from the pandemic.

"Destination Net Zero will help guide our decision-making in the years to come

and builds on Royal Caribbean Group's continuous improvement mantra," said

Silvia Garrigo, Royal Caribbean Group chief Environmental Social Governance

(ESG) Officer. "While we may not have all the answers now, this comprehensive

company-wide strategy amplifies our focus on long-term emissions reduction and

provides us a roadmap for how to get there."

"Ensuring the long-term health of our oceans requires collective action to

effectively address climate change and limit warming to 1.5C," said Carter

Roberts, president & CEO of WWF. "Through our partnership, Royal Caribbean

Group has been on a journey to improve their overall sustainability. Achieving

net zero emissions no later than 2050 will require innovation and collaboration

at scale, and WWF looks forward to working together to make progress toward

this milestone."

To learn more about Royal Caribbean Group's sustainability efforts, visit

https://sustainability.rclcorporate.com/.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the

world with a global fleet of 60 ships traveling to more than 800 destinations

around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three

award-winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises,

and Silversea Cruises, and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that

operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an

additional 13 ships on order as of June 30, 2021. Learn more at

www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements

under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements

relate to, among other things, the company's expectations, estimates, forecasts

and projections regarding environmental, social and governance (ESG)

initiatives and the company's ability to achieve its ESG goals. Forward-looking

statements reflect management's current expectations and are subject to risks,

uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results,

performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results,

performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking

statements. Factors that could affect our results, performance and achievements

include, among others, the cost and availability of alternative fuels and

emissions-reducing technologies and solutions and the development and

applicability of science-based target methodologies, as well as those factors

discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on

Form 10-K, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be

obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or

the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the

forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information

available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly

update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new

information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group

CONTACT: Janet Diaz, Email: corporatecommunications@rccl.com