Set to commence on 1 January 2025, the initiative will reward participating importers with 50kg of CO₂e carbon credits for every loaded import container handled at DP World’s UK terminals during a six-month trial period. These credits, issued quarterly and independently certified, reflect actual emission reductions achieved within the supply chain, rather than traditional offset methods reliant on external projects.
According to DP World, the programme uses inset credits generated by its subsidiary, Unifeeder, which employs lower-carbon fuels across its Northern European shipping routes. Importers can access these credits through a verified pool, providing them with a measurable way to cut indirect (Scope 3) emissions while demonstrating their sustainability commitments.
John Trenchard, Vice President – Commercial & Supply Chain at DP World UK, highlighted the programme’s innovative approach:
“At DP World we are constantly exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions across our customers’ supply chains. Insetting carbon emissions is a transparent, direct and pragmatic approach with immediate measurable impact for our customers. By participating in the trial, a world first, import cargo owners can actively contribute to global decarbonisation efforts while aligning with their own sustainability goals.”
If half of all import volumes at the UK terminals join the trial, DP World estimates this could lead to the replacement of over 11,000 tonnes of traditional fossil fuel with lower-carbon marine fuels, equating to a 10,000-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions.
The initiative builds on DP World’s previous sustainability efforts, such as the Modal Shift Programme, which reduced partners’ emissions by more than 17,000 tonnes in its first year and earned the company the ‘Transport and Mobility Project of the Year’ award at the edie Net Zero Awards in November.
Christian Hoepfner, Director of Group Decarbonisation at Unifeeder, reaffirmed their commitment to decarbonisation:
“At Unifeeder, we are committed to using alternative fuels to decarbonise our logistics solutions. We are supporting DP World in the UK in their innovative Carbon Inset Programme by contributing verified GHG reductions generated on our vessels operating in Europe.”