Maersk announced new aspiring emissions targets expected to align the company with the pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C. What is more, the company aims to achieve net zero supply chains to customers by 2040.
In December 2018, Maersk launched a pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050. Now, the company announced a new commitment to “act now and drive material impact in this decade, and a commitment to deliver net zero supply chains to customers by 2040.”
The targets go beyond previous efforts to reduce emissions related to the ocean fleet as they cover all direct and indirect emissions across the entire Maersk business.
The science is clear, we must act now to deliver significant progress in this decade. These very ambitious targets mark our commitment to society and to the many customers who call for net zero supply chains
stated Soren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk.
2030 targets
In addition, tangible near-term targets for 2030 have also been set to ensure significant progress on curbing direct Maersk emissions already in this decade.
These include:
- 50% reduction in emissions per transported container in the Maersk Ocean fleet;
- 70% reduction in absolute emissions from fully controlled terminals.
Depending on growth in the ocean business, this will lead to absolute emissions reductions between 35% and 50% from a 2020 baseline.
Furthermore, to maximise progress towards net zero supply chains in 2040, ambitious 2030 targets for a range of green product offerings are introduced, adding to solutions including Maersk’s Emissions Dashboard and Maersk ECO Delivery.
These products will utilise green technologies and solutions to ensure that they provide real emission reductions within the supply chain.
Roadmap to deliver net zero by 2040
Our updated targets and accelerated timelines reflect a very challenging, yet viable pathway to net zero which is driven by advances in technology and solutions
explains Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller – Maersk.
As recommended by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), over the decade Maersk will go above and beyond the 1.5°C-aligned targets and invest in building a portfolio of natural climate solutions that will result in around five million tons of CO2 savings per year by 2030.
Covering indirect emissions also means that the targets address emissions from inland transport services and vessel building which are provided by third party suppliers.
Tackling this challenge will require extensive data insights and close collaboration with local and regional suppliers of products and services across the Maersk business footprint
Maersk added.
Moreover, Maersk notes that 25% of all cargo will be transported using green fuels, with its 2021 volume growth showing “continued high customer demand for our green ocean solutions.”
In this aspect, Maersk exercised options with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build four more dual-fueled vessels able to operate on methanol.
The vessels will be delivered in 2025, following the delivery of eight similar vessels that were ordered in August 2021, and are expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2024.
