A.P. Moller – Maersk accelerates net zero targets to a decade ahead of original ambition

Maersk plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the original 2050 ambition, in efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

A.P. Moller – Maersk’s new emission targets are expected to align the company with the Net Zero criteria of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The targets include a societal commitment to act now and drive material impact in this decade, and a commitment to deliver net zero supply chains to customers by 2040.

Soren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “As a global provider of end-to-end logistics services across all transport modes, it is a strategic imperative for Maersk to extend our net zero ambition to the total footprint of the 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.”

To maximise progress towards net zero supply chains in 2040, ambitious 2030 targets have been set to significantly reduce emissions and to ensure industry-leading green offerings are introduced.

These targets include a 50% reduction in emissions per transported container in the Maersk Ocean fleet and a 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.

The targets will add to solutions, including Maersk’s Emissions Dashboard and Maersk ECO Delivery, which will utilise green technologies and solutions to ensure a significant emission reduction within the supply chain.

Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “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.”

“What is needed is a rapid scale-up which we will strive to achieve in close collaboration with customers and suppliers across the entire supply chain.”

Over the decade Maersk plan to go 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.