ESG Enforcement Tracker

The NGO, Opportunity Green, filed a series of complaints with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority against cruise line ads that refer to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This follows a detailed report published by Opportunity Green – “(Un)Sustainable from Ship to Shore” – in which the cruise industry’s claims about Fossil LNG and its environmental impact are found to be misleading.

According to the NGO, fossil LNG has been widely promoted as a ‘climate-friendly’ alternative to shipping fuel, without proper consideration of its detrimental impact on the climate. Consisting mainly of methane, fossil LNG is said to be a potent greenhouse gas which has climate impacts over 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The report points to a growing body of scientific evidence that shows that there are no lifecycle climate benefits to its use.

Opportunity Green has alleged that the cruise industry misleads consumers on LNG as (a) reducing emissions, (b) being environmentally friendly, and (c) assisting in meeting net-zero by 2050, contrary to the Advertising Standards Authority’s Code of Non-Broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing.