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SEA
One of the
Costa Crociere Foundation’s
main concerns is protection
of the marine environment. The environmental projects funded by
the Foundation aim to safeguard the sea, both through awareness
raising and educational activities in schools, and by involving local
authorities and other stakeholders in joint actions designed to achieve
tangible results such as a reduction in the amount of plastic waste
and, more generally, its more sustainable management through the
circular economy approach. In 2015 the Foundation provided support
for
OLPA (Ligurian Observatory on Fishing & Environment)
and
CIRSPE (Italian Center for Fishery Research and Studies)
,
working together to reduce water pollution from plastic by cleaning up
the sea, the seabed and beaches. In the first year of the project
some
59,000 m
2
of costal areas were involved with collection of
800 kg of garbage
thanks to the involvement of 1,000 students, from
Liguria to the shores of Latium. The local authorities played a key role
both in the collection, management and disposal of this waste and in
the development of proposals for new regulations and policies focusing
more attention on the issue.
Costa Crociere
Foundation’s commitment
There are also animal excursions
with transport provided by horses or
camels; in this case it is ensured that
the animals used are properly cared
for. The logic referred to above is used
to assess whether a particular park,
marine reserve or protected area should
be included in a tour.
The Company performs a series of
checks to determine the conditions
under which animals are held, how
they are treated and whether the park
authority concerned looks after the
flora and fauna properly. In order to
prepare guests for eco-tours and foster
respect for local cultures and traditions,
Costa Cruises – in collaboration with
local tourism organizations – arranges
special information sessions (reinforced
by reminders in the Costa brochure)
where the tour leaders help build
environmental and cultural awareness.