MIAMI, CMC – Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest global cruise company, said Tuesday that Caribbean countries that depend on nature, including ecotourism operators, fishers, and artisans, could benefit from a three-year grant it has signed with the US-based Conservation International.
Conservation International will provide technical assistance, training, mentoring, and access to small grants to help entrepreneurs adopt sustainable practices as they grow their businesses.
“The Caribbean’s warm and welcoming spirit is matched only by the breathtaking beauty of its natural environment, reminding us of our shared responsibility to safeguard these ecosystems for those who come after us,” said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.
“Working with Conservation International gives us a meaningful way to partner with communities in biodiverse coastal destinations. Together, we’re supporting local innovation and social impact while helping care for the natural wonders that make these destinations so beloved.”
Conservation International’s acting head of Conservation Programmes and Senior Vice President, Kelvin Alie, said that healthy mangroves mean safer communities, stronger economies, and more resilient Caribbean coastlines.
“Together with Carnival Corporation, we are helping to restore these critical ecosystems so they can deliver lasting benefits for both people and nature,” he added.
In a statement, Carnival Corporation said that the agreement will restore mangrove forests in the Caribbean, recognised globally for its pristine beauty and as home to the world’s top cruise destinations.
It said that the grant brings together the world’s largest cruise company with an international leader in conservation to safeguard critical coastal forests that buffer shorelines from storms, absorb atmospheric carbon, and sustain marine life and local livelihoods in the Caribbean.
Carnival Corporation said that the funding for the project will come from its signature programmes like Holland America Line’s “On Deck for a Cause” 5K walks, which invite guests of all ages onboard non-Alaska voyages to donate, stretch their legs on a scenic deck-side walk for Conservation International, and celebrate their impact with a post-walk reception, keepsake T-shirt, and wristband.
It said support will also come from Carnival Corporation’s “Keep the Change” programme, inviting guests on board most of the company’s cruise lines to donate a portion of their casino payouts to Conservation International. An additional supporting programme will be announced over time across Carnival Corporation’s portfolio of cruise lines.
Carnival Corporation said that at the heart of the partnership are initiatives designed to deliver measurable impact centered around enriching and protecting delicate Caribbean ecosystems, including protecting and helping to restore significant coastal wetlands in the Caribbean.
It said wetlands buffer shorelines, store carbon, and provide critical habitat for fish, crustaceans, and migratory bird species, but have been damaged by severe weather and other environmental threats.
“With support from Carnival Corporation, Conservation International, and partners, we will help rehabilitate mangrove forests by supporting natural regeneration. The work will also strengthen research and monitoring and deepen community engagement to ensure that local. ”
Carnival Corporation said residents who rely on these delicate ecosystems benefit from long-term conservation efforts and that the new collaboration builds on its long-standing commitment to sustainability and advances the organization’s 2030 sustainability goals.
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