Carnival Celebration. File Image. Image Credit: Carnival Corporation

• Carnival targets 25% GHG intensity cut by 2029, up from 20% by 2030
• Original goal met five years early with a 20% reduction in 2025
• Company says fuel-efficiency work will save around $650 million in 2026 versus 2019 levels
• Fleet now includes 11 LNG-powered ships, with seven more efficient newbuilds due through 2033

Carnival Corporation has announced a new target to cut its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 25% by 2029, measured per available lower berth day against a 2019 baseline.

The world's largest cruise company met its original goal of a 20% reduction by 2030 five years ahead of schedule in 2025, and has responded by raising the bar by five percentage points and bringing the deadline forward a year.

The company says the fuel-efficiency work behind that milestone is on track to save it roughly $650 million in 2026 alone compared to 2019 levels.

"Achieving our 2030 GHG reduction goal five years early is a significant milestone that reflects years of disciplined investment, innovation and operational focus across our global fleet," Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said in a statement announcing the target.

"Our new 2029 target ensures we're continuing to improve every part of the equation, from using less fuel to advancing the tools, technologies and infrastructure that will help us lower emissions even further over time."

Energy-saving measures across the fleet include Power Saver Packs covering HVAC upgrades, LED lighting, and energy management systems, now installed on about 80% of the company's ships and cutting annual shipboard energy demand by around 535,000 MWh versus 2019.

Air lubrication systems on 13 ships reduce propulsion energy needs by around 5%, the company says, while Azipod propulsion on more than 40 ships can trim fuel use by up to 10%.

The firm's fleet renewal has seen 27 older ships retired since 2019, while its 11 LNG-powered vessels now account for about 21% of fleet capacity, with seven newbuilds due through 2033 expected to be more than 20% more efficient per passenger than current tonnage.

Shore power capability has been extended to 74% of the fleet, which connected to local grids on some 1,460 port calls in 2025, against a goal of 80% fleetwide capability by 2030.

Carnival says it is also growing biofuel use across the fleet as more supply comes online, and operates a 10 MWh battery energy storage system aboard AIDAprima, which it describes as the largest in the cruise industry.