The Fjords of the Future: Balancing Norway’s Cruise Tourism Strategy with Environmental Concerns.

Abstract

This bachelor’s thesis investigates whether cruise tourism can be environmentally sustainable and how Norway can develop its cruise tourism sector within its national tourism strategy to enhance sustainable practices and meet its environmental goals. The research involves a literature-based approach, analysing eight articles against international and national legislations and guidelines. By comprising the latest research, the conclusions made in this thesis can serve as a good foundation for decision-making processes regarding the future of cruise operations in Norway.

Cruise tourism is a rapidly growing and increasingly popular means of travel. Technological advancements have enabled larger ships, consequently increasing the environmental impact. The Norwegian UNESCO World Heritage fjords have seen a growth in visitors, and being a vulnerable area, mitigating negative impacts is imperative to preserve the natural beauty of the destination. In response, Norway is advancing towards greener, more regenerative tourism practices, which include a goal of zero-greenhouse gas emissions from cruise ship operations in these fjords by 2026.

The research shows that air pollution is the most central subject and that current operation emissions are not in line with international strategies to minimise greenhouse gas emissions rapidly. With the current sectoral growth, including Norway’s requirements for the World Heritage fjords, achieving net zero emissions by 2050 seems unlikely. Alternatives such as biofuels and onshore power supply are proven to reduce emissions, yet challenges such as cost and limited availability hinder their feasibility. Sectoral growth leads to increasing waste generation, necessitating international standardisation of waste handling laws and improved collaboration between ports for cost-effective, eco-friendly waste management.

While a commendable step, the zero-emission requirement in the World Heritage fjords most likely will lead cruise traffic to relocate to other fjords. Other proposed measures from the report are law for limiting the maximum number of cruise passengers and calls per day, and points to the need to look at the framework conditions for cruise operations in Norwegian waters. In order to truly embrace environmental sustainability, the cruise sector must adopt a more proactive approach, aiming for de-growth and implementing regenerative operations.

This bachelor’s thesis investigates whether cruise tourism can be environmentally sustainable and how Norway can develop its cruise tourism sector within its national tourism strategy to enhance sustainable practices and meet its environmental goals. The research involves a literature-based approach, analysing eight articles against international and national legislations and guidelines. By comprising the latest research, the conclusions made in this thesis can serve as a good foundation for decision-making processes regarding the future of cruise operations in Norway.

Cruise tourism is a rapidly growing and increasingly popular means of travel. Technological advancements have enabled larger ships, consequently increasing the environmental impact. The Norwegian UNESCO World Heritage fjords have seen a growth in visitors, and being a vulnerable area, mitigating negative impacts is imperative to preserve the natural beauty of the destination. In response, Norway is advancing towards greener, more regenerative tourism practices, which include a goal of zero-greenhouse gas emissions from cruise ship operations in these fjords by 2026.

The research shows that air pollution is the most central subject and that current operation emissions are not in line with international strategies to minimise greenhouse gas emissions rapidly. With the current sectoral growth, including Norway’s requirements for the World Heritage fjords, achieving net zero emissions by 2050 seems unlikely. Alternatives such as biofuels and onshore power supply are proven to reduce emissions, yet challenges such as cost and limited availability hinder their feasibility. Sectoral growth leads to increasing waste generation, necessitating international standardisation of waste handling laws and improved collaboration between ports for cost-effective, eco-friendly waste management.

While a commendable step, the zero-emission requirement in the World Heritage fjords most likely will lead cruise traffic to relocate to other fjords. Other proposed measures from the report are law for limiting the maximum number of cruise passengers and calls per day, and points to the need to look at the framework conditions for cruise operations in Norwegian waters. In order to truly embrace environmental sustainability, the cruise sector must adopt a more proactive approach, aiming for de-growth and implementing regenerative operations.