OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2016. The two Carnival UK brands of P&O Cruises and Cunard report major progress in reducing both fuel consumption and emissions during its cruise operations.

The latest annual Sustainability Report reveals that - during 2014 - fuel consumption was down by 5%. 

An array of energy-saving measures on board ships in the fleets of both P&O Cruises and Cunard Line allied to a reduction in sea miles travelled effected this positive result which means that consumption was 18% below the 2011 total.

This reduction was also a factor in cutting CO2 emissions by nearly 5%, helping to ensure that parent company Carnival Corporation & plc was able to reach its target of reducing its greenhouse gases by 20% since 2005 by 2014 – a year ahead of schedule.   The next target is 25% by 2020.

And it was not just fuel and emissions that were reduced as the level of food waste produced was also cut back for the second year in succession so the level was less than 75% of the 2012 total.

Carnival UK was equally active in maintaining its support of the environment through alliances with UK wildlife trusts and by introducing an increasing number of “green” shore excursions. 

Passengers can also now check the carbon footprint of the transportation element of tours from French ports before booking them.

Carnival UK also has strong links with charities including The Prince’s Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. A variety of events and initiatives raised nearly ?300,000 for Macmillan in 2014.

Cruising remains a significant contributor to the UK economy, with direct spending totalling €3.2bn and 71,000 jobs generated which pay a further €2.6bn in wages.