Maersk signs up to BEC Low Carbon Charter

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk is joining the Low Carbon Charter, launched by Hong Kong Business Environment Council (BEC).

By signing the charter, Maersk is committed itself to contribute towards Hong Kong’s long-term decarbonization ambition. Several months ago, the region said it would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

Daan Slotema, Head of Legal, Maersk Asia Pacific signed and received the certificate on behalf of the company.

“Decarbonization is a strategic imperative for our industry and for Maersk. We are intensifying our efforts to achieve our ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and support our customers to decarbonize their supply chains,” Slotema commented.

“Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading maritime hubs, and I am pleased that we can take part in this significant task which requires collaborative contributions from the shipping and logistics sector.”

Maersk is accelerating efforts to decarbonize marine operations, most recently with the order of eight large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon-neutral methanol.

The first vessel will be introduced in the first quarter of 2024. These vessels will offer Maersk clients “truly carbon-neutral transportation at scale on the high seas”.

In joining the Low Carbon Charter, Maersk has committed to

• Work towards setting decarbonisation target(s) aligned with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement by committing to the Science Based Targets initiative;
• Implement strategic actions towards achieving the target(s);
• Disclose annually progress of setting/achieving target(s);
• Advocate setting decarbonisation targets and implementing low carbon practices to stakeholders.

“International shipping contributes over 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and the International Maritime Organisation recently adopted a strategy to decarbonise the sector,” Adam Koo, CEO of Business Environment Council, said.

“BEC welcomes the opportunity to work with Maersk and the shipping industry and leverage the Charter as a platform to inspire the wider business community in Hong Kong to accelerate their climate action.”

With the support of business leaders and the Environment Bureau, the BEC Low Carbon Charter was launched in March 2019 to mobilize companies in the property and construction value chain to collectively contribute towards Hong Kong’s long-term decarbonization through their pledge to set and achieve carbon reduction targets.

Since 2020, the charter has expanded to welcome companies from all sectors.