In March 2015, AIDA and the climate protection organization “atmosfair” joined forces to start a climate protection program that sets standards in the cruise industry. The program focuses on initiatives such as a direct reduction of the ships’ CO2 emissions and voluntary CO2 compensation for cruises.
All AIDA guests can voluntarily book the CO2 compensation of their cruises at www.aida.de under MyAIDA. Starting in September 2016, our guests will be able to compensate the CO2 emissions of their flights to and from the ship.
Through atmosfair climate protection projects, AIDA is also compensating CO2 emissions from all employee business travel by plane or rental car.
The proceeds will go toward a biomass power plant in northern India, which produces green electricity from crop residues for 40,000 households, saves 30,000 tons of CO2 annually, and contributes to the region’s development by offering new job opportunities and income sources for farmers.
AIDA Cruises also aims to work with atmosfair in a joint pilot project to test the opportunities of utilizing LNG (liquefied natural gas) to power cruise ships in the future, which would completely eliminate CO2 emissions by using power to gas methods and wind or solar power. Crucial for the future use of LNG in all ocean-going vessels are internationally uniform legal conditions and technical standards. This applies in particular to the transport of LNG on board passenger ships, as well as to the technical standards for the relevant infrastructure in the ports. AIDA Cruises is committed to expanding the possibilities for using LNG and has taken on a pioneering role in the cruise industry.
More information about CO2 compensation and our cooperation with atmosfair is available under “Climate-conscious cruise.”
Moreover, ADIA Cruises became a member of the Stiftung 2° in 2015. The foundation is named after its most important objective: limiting average global warming to two degrees Celsius. 2° Foundation is a CEO initiative and stands for long-term entrepreneurial commitment to climate protection. Together with academia, society, and policymakers, the supporters are working on specific solutions for ambitious and effective climate protection over the long term. AIDA is represented by the CEO of the Costa Group, Michael Thamm, who is supported by Dr. Monika Griefahn, Director of Environment and Society at AIDA Cruises.
Together with additional member companies of the 2° Foundation, AIDA made a statement on the occasion of the negotiations at the World Climate Conference 2015 in Paris, affirming AIDA Cruises' commitment to environmental protection. Dr. Monika Griefahn, Director of Environment and Society at AIDA Cruises, took part in the journey on the "Train to Paris" on November 28, 2015. This special train of the Deutsche Bahn AG was part of a joint project of several European countries and took a German delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21. Also on board were Minister of the Environment Dr. Barbara Hendricks, State Secretary Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter (BMUB) as well as other representatives from politics and business.