Maersk, the single largest logistics firm in the world, has become the first shipping company to sign up to Amazon’s Climate Pledge.
The company joins 100 new signatories to the programme, announced by the ecommerce giant this week.
The Amazon Climate Pledge was launched in 2019 and some 312 organisations have signed up.
The commitment by all those who sign up is to meet the needs of the Paris Agreement on climate change 10 years early and to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040.
As well as reducing all of its direct and indirect emissions across its entire business by 2040, Maersk has committed to expanding its sustainable customer offerings.
These include a commitment to achieve 25% of ocean cargo using ‘green’ fuels, the same applying to 90% of the fuel used by its contract and cold chain logistics networks.
In addition, at least 30% of its air cargo will be transported using sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.
“The effects of climate change are becoming more and more apparent in our surroundings and daily lives, and we firmly believe that the private sector must continue to innovate and collaborate across regions and industries in order to decarbonise the global economy at scale,” said Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy.
Maersk chief executive Soren Skou added: “Solving the climate emergency and decarbonising our customers’ supply chains is a strategic imperative for Maersk.”
“Hence, back in January 2021 we accelerated our decarbonisation commitment to net-zero emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of our initial 2050 ambitions and the Paris Agreement.
“To drive the massive scale up of green fuels, we all must move now and take action. If we are meant to see changes this decade, we cannot afford to wait, and in that context, we look forward to joining The Climate Pledge, an opportunity to team up with some of our major customers, learn from them, and share best practices and solutions.”
