The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has criticized the climate targets set by several cruise companies, which fall short of the German government's goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2045.
"It is irresponsible for an industry to set itself targets that fall short of Germany's climate goals," said NABU transport policy officer Sönke Diesener.
NABU, an environmental pressure goup, said eight out of 12 cruise companies stated in a survey that they wanted to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. "This is neither acceptable nor justifiable - especially for a leisure activity," said Diesener.
A total of 14 companies were surveyed; two did not respond.
The NABU survey covered environmental and climate measures, the use of heavy fuel oil, shore power, soot particle filters and catalytic converters that reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
NABU used the responses to draw up a ranking list in which Norwegian operators Hurtigruten, Havila and Hurtigruten Expeditions took the top spots. Diesener said that Norway tends to have cheaper onshore electricity from hydropower and stricter rules.
From Germany, Mein Schiff came highest, followed by Aida Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The cruise giant Carnival is in penultimate place, with the Marella line of Britain in last place.
"The cruise industry is committed to the overarching goal of climate neutrality by 2050," said the cruise industry association Clia in Germany in response to the NABU ranking.
The goal is in line with a greenhouse gas strategy of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for international shipping, it said. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Shore power is available for cruise ships in Hamburg, Kiel and Rostock, said the chairman of NABU Hamburg, Malte Siegert. Siegert called on the shipping companies to utilize the facilities. "Otherwise, shore power must be made compulsory in order to protect people in the cities from exhaust fumes."