Barcelona is ramping up its sustainability efforts in the cruise
industry through several initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and
improving the impact of tourism on the city.
In addition to a new cruise pollution tax,
the Port of Barcelona has established a Cruise Sustainability Council
to manage and improve the impact of cruise tourism in the Catalan
capital.
The Cruise Sustainability Council includes representatives from
Barcelona City Council, the Catalan government, Provincial Council of
Barcelona, Delegation of the Central Government in Catalonia, port
community, Air Routes Development Committee, economic and social
entities, and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Additionally, the council aims to enhance transparency and
communication of cruise activity, coordinate initiatives launched by
different institutions, reduce negative environmental and social
impacts, increase social and economic returns, and strengthen the
connection of cruise companies with the city's business, training, and
employment sectors.
Work committees will focus on environmental, social, and economic
sustainability, with 50 actions already underway or set to start soon.
Social sustainability efforts include managing cruise passengers,
reducing congestion in tourist areas, diversifying tourist assets, and
creating local jobs.
Environmental sustainability efforts focus on reducing emissions,
promoting low-emission ships, optimising water management, transforming
waste into biogas, improving urban mobility, and working towards
biodiversity.
Homeporting activities bring the greatest economic benefit, and the
port plans to increase its turnaround business. The Cruise
Sustainability Council will provide continuity to the agreement signed
between the Port and Barcelona City Council in 2018, which outlines the
reduction of the number of cruise terminals to seven by 2027 with an
investment of €265 million (US$291 million) in public and private
investment and new infrastructure along Adossat wharf.
Additionally, the city has been considering providing electricity in
ports since 2019 so cruise liners can turn off their engines while
moored.