Maersk joins BEC Low Carbon Charter

August 31, 2021

Mr. Daan Slotema, Head of Legal, Maersk Asia Pacific (right) received the certificate from Mr. Adam Koo, CEO of Business Environment Council, Hong Kong (left)

A.P. Moller-Maersk announced today that the company will join the Low Carbon Charter, launched by Hong Kong Business Environment Council (BEC). By signing the Charter, Maersk is committed to contributing towards Hong Kong’s long-term decarbonization ambition.

Mr. 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. 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.

Daan Slotema

Head of Legal, Maersk Asia Pacific

Maersk is accelerating efforts to decarbonize marine operations, most recently with the order of 8 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 customers 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

We are absolutely thrilled with Maersk, the world’s leading shipping and logistics company, joining the Charter. International shipping contributes over 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and the International Maritime Organisation recently adopted a strategy to decarbonise the sector. 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.

Adam Koo

CEO of Business Environment Council

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.