UNWTO and MSC Foundation look to Panel Net Zero Future on World Ocean Day 

International leaders from the worlds of science, policymaking and business explored new paths to sustainable consumption and production in tourism as a key strategy for transitioning to a carbon-neutral, regenerative circular blue economy.

Focus areas: Education, Environmental Conservation 

The prestigious events surrounding the naming ceremony of MSC Cruises’ advanced new eco-ship MSC Euribia included a high-profile expert panel discussion organised by the MSC Foundation and UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to explore the subject ‘Tourism Ocean Action for a Net Zero Future’.

Opening the event, welcome remarks were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Peter Thomson, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, and Zoritsa Urosevic, UNWTO Executive Director.

Zurab Pololikashvili introduced several major themes of the day, explaining: “Finding the right balance between tourism operations and the health of our planet has never been more important. Coastal and cruise tourism have a critical role to play in the global economy. At the same time, coastal and cruise tourism have a key role to play in the protection of our oceans. This is why the UNWTO is working with partners like MSC to advance Climate Action.”

Introducing the panel to a public of travel professionals and media from around the world, Pierfrancesco Vago - Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee and Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group - outlined the scope of the event as a pivotal step in fostering sustainable tourism practices and promoting stewardship of the oceans for the prosperity of coastal communities and the earth at large.

World-renowned explorer Mike Horn, head of the Horn Foundation, introduced the day’s core themes of ocean conservation, youth action and the role of the tourism sector in building a sustainable future.

Keynote speaker Amy Meek, Co-founder of Kids Against Plastic, then gave an inspiring address on the importance of young voices in environmental action.

This was followed by a moment to recognise the writers of the winning essays from the first Global Youth Tourism Summit held in Sorrento last year, which led into the panel discussion itself, moderated by Carl Gustaf Lundin, Senior Adviser at Mission Blue and an MSC Foundation Advisory Board Member.

The panellists from organisations at the forefront of maritime and environmental affairs were Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, Europe, of the Cruise Lines International Association, Linden Coppell, VP of Sustainability and ESG at MSC Cruises, Peter Prokosch, Founder of Linking Tourism & Conservation and Vision 52 AS, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President-Designate of the World Maritime University, and Paul Holthus, President and CEO of the World Ocean Council.

The panellists highlighted the crucial role of coastal and maritime tourism, which accounts for no less than 50% of global tourism and 40% of the ocean-based industry's total export value, emphasising the critical interplay between tourism and ocean sustainability.

Key considerations were that the competitiveness of the tourism sector depends on healthy blue ecosystems, but equally that the tourism sector has the potential to create a virtuous circle at destination level. The strategies outlined for achieving this centred on combining three approaches: Firstly, in continuing the decarbonisation of tourism operations. Secondly, in simultaneously investing in the protection and regeneration of blue carbon ecosystems, thus also enhancing the resilience of local communities. And thirdly, in accompanying this with investments in nature-based solutions that maximise these ecosystems’ ability to draw down carbon.

All the participants were agreed that the sector has a key role to play in the transition to a carbon-neutral, regenerative circular blue economy. Policymakers and business leaders shared insightful policies, strategies and solutions to accelerate tourism ocean action. These included the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, the Global Roadmap for Food Waste Reduction in Tourism, and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, all building momentum towards a Blue COP 28.

The event concluded with moving closing remarks from Frederic Degret, Chief Executive Officer of NOAH Regen and UNWTO Special Adviser on Ocean and Climate Action.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee and Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group commented "The MSC Euribia naming ceremony events not only celebrated the significant milestone of this new eco-ship, but also highlighted our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Our partnership with the UNWTO, exemplified in the 'Tourism Ocean Action for a Net Zero Future' panel, is crucial in our shared vision for responsible tourism. MSC Euribia, our most energy-efficient ship yet, symbolises this commitment. We are confident that we will exceed the International Maritime Organization's 40% carbon intensity reduction goal before the 2030 deadline and are actively working towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This isn't just an aspiration, but a path we've committed to for the future of our oceans and our industry."

MSC Foundation Executive Director Daniela Picco added “The path to sustainability can only be a journey travelled together in dialogue and concerted action. So I would like to thank UNWTO for their valued partnership in making this event possible, aiding the MSC Foundation to leverage the MSC Group’s global presence and bring so many leading international experts together. Their informative presentations, straight-talking discussion and open Q&A session unquestionably brought our attendees many active insights into the pioneering work and ambitions of key local and international bodies to address the challenges of ocean health and sustainability.”