186 Increasingly, there is demand for stakeholders across the maritime interiors value chain to calculate and disclose the carbon footprint or ecological footprint of all items specified so that customers can choose those that have a low footprint or even opt for production facilities that are climate-neutral. Efforts to formally measure or rate sustainability using LEED, BREEAM, CASBEE, DGNB, Green Star and other methods could work for ship interiors with some adaptation. Likewise, sustainability reporting and measurement provides a format for quantifying sustainable transitions, although the lack of sector-specific indicators means measures can go unrecognised and negate motivation to further achieve sustainable development. But whichever formal method is adopted, it should cover all aspects including sourcing, design, operations and guest experience to provide an inclusive and rounded measurement. While many design companies have opted for certifications, standards and labelling systems used in land-based construction, this report has revealed that there is wide consensus that the maritime interior design sector would benefit from an industry-specific global standard or certification system. Such a system for the interior design activities of the global cruise and ferry industry would benefit all stakeholders, allowing suppliers to reassure purchasers of the ethical procurement and manufacture of their products. It would also enable a long-term view of the impacts and effects of materials used in maritime design projects by measuring aspects such as the percentage of recyclable or environmentally friend material used. Suppliers could reveal the full production processes and materials used to make onboard interior products, leading to a tiered sustainability certificate or rating. This would provide information on the properties of each material, including which are more sustainable than others and might fulfil the same purpose. All of the components of an interior product could be listed, not just the primary component. It would also consider the full life span of materials and products, including the CO2 footprint in production along with the impact of reuse and eventual disposal. THE ROAD AHEAD A roadmap for the future – “The use of data technology solutions and AI is increasing and could be the way forward to measure aspects including energy use and waste from spaces. However, ship owners and operators will need to see tangible benefits from cooperating on any new measurement scheme that has the potential to increase costs”
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