How can Walt Disney world be more sustainable?
Walt Disney is a feature in many of our childhood memories. We all know about Mickey Mouse and Disney princesses. Watching Disney’s magic film productions led us to ask our parents to take us to Disney World. I recently visited Walt Disney World for the second time, and this time I viewed it from a climate standpoint and have some quick and easy sustainable recommendations.
First I am going to address the steps they are already taking. The Walt Disney Company is one of the leading companies in reducing its carbon footprint. They have a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and have been working toward it since 2009. This plan consists of four major objectives, along with a few other side projects.
Their first objective is net zero emissions for direct operations by 2030. The Walt Disney Company has set sustainable requirements for new constructions and designs and has invested in projects and renovations to increase the efficiency of current operations.
Their second objective is to use 100% zero carbon electricity by 2030. To achieve this goal, the Company invests in on-site renewable energy generation, maximizes utility and electricity partnerships, and supplements renewable energy with virtual and physical PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements). Power Purchase Agreements are when an organization signs a contract with an energy producer (typically renewable) and the energy producer installs and operates an energy system on the organization’s property. This allows for the organization to receive low cost and stable renewable energy.
Their third objective is their objective on low carbon fuel innovation, which will mostly be utilized for Disney cruise ships. Disney has aimed to use plug-in power for its docked cruise ships, which lowers fuel consumption, use geothermal to displace natural gas, and install EV chargers for guest and staff parking in a number of its parks and resorts. Additionally, their newer ships will be powered by LNG (liquified natural gas), which has lower emissions than normal fuel, and they are allocating funding to low carbon fuel infrastructure and will join collaborations like Cruise Lines International Association.
Their last major objective is investing in natural climate solutions (as needed). The money for this comes from Disney’s internal carbon tax, which incentivizes less emissions. They ensure quality projects by engaging in a detailed review of the design, management, and follow ups and check ins.
Undoubtedly, the Walt Disney Company has big plans to reduce its carbon footprint. Right now, they are engaging in all these large feats and trying to reduce their emissions on a large scale, as they should, however, they also need to add a focus to being climate-friendly at a more individual scale. Here are three simple, easy, yet absent, recommendations for Disney World to make their parks more climate-friendly.
1. Add more climate-friendly options to the menu
Agriculture and livestock farming are some of the largest contributors to climate change. One simple action that Disney can take is adding more foods to their menus that accommodate those who try to be healthier or more climate-friendly. To start, they can add more vegetarian and vegan options, which can literally be as simple as a salad or sandwich. As I was walking around the parks in DisneyWorld, in most places the only vegetarian option was french fries. Adding vegetarian and vegan options is important for both consumers and the environment. Remember, one ton of beef equals one ton of CO2 emitted.
Obviously, there are still many people who like red meat, however, there are still ways to have red meat, without the enormous carbon footprint. Disney should consider investing in low-carbon meats, such as plant-based meat or lab-grown meat (meaning it is completely real meat, without any GMOs or anything — it just doesn’t require raising and slaughtering animals). If Disney, as a large, popular corporation, begins promoting low-carbon meats, promising innovations like lab-grown meat could potentially gain traction, which could be a huge step in the right direction with livestock emissions.
2. More water fountains, less plastic bottles
If you take a walk around Disney World, a majority of the people have at least one plastic bottle with them. Plastic’s impact can be reduced by reusage, however most people throw their plastic bottles out after one use, leading to its large, negative impact. Disney can reduce the plastic bottle problem by installing more water fountains, selling more reusable, metal water bottles (which are also typically of high quality), and selling less plastic bottles. Promoting reusable water bottles and water fountains would drastically reduce the usage of plastic bottles, meaning less waste, less plastic in landfills, and less plastic in the ocean.
3. Add carbon labels
Finally, Disney can add carbon labels on items they sell, from merchandise to food to souvenirs. A carbon label simply shows how many emissions came from that item. While adding a carbon label does not seem like a very impactful step, it raises awareness about climate change, and it alerts consumers as to what they are buying and eating and what the cost of that on the environment does. You can think of it like a nutrition food label. Nutrition labels tell us if we should eat certain foods and how much we should eat of them. You wouldn’t eat an entire family pack of potato chips because you are aware of the health impacts and the serving size. Adding carbon labels on food and retail will allow buyers to make informed decisions and be completely aware of their choices on the environment, as well as make Disney a more transparent company. Additionally, in an influential company like Disney, adding carbon labels could encourage other companies to do it as well, which would be a great achievement in raising awareness for consumers and reducing the overall carbon footprint.
These suggestions are simple and easy for Disney to implement in their parks, and they could lead to promising ideas, such as carbon labels and cultivated meat, gaining traction, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Disney is definitely doing a lot with regards to climate change on a large-scale, however, they should also add a focus to a smaller, more consumer-based scale, to accommodate their guests’ needs and allow these guests, on an individual scale, to have more climate friendly visits and lead more climate friendly lives.