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DP World trials Carbon Inset Programme
Logistics company DP World is trialling an innovative carbon reduction programme at its UK hubs in London Gateway and Southampton.
Described as ‘the world’s first container port carbon inset programme,’ the new initiative aims to help cargo importers cut their emissions.
For an initial six-month trial, starting on 1 January 2025, the Carbon Inset Programme will reward importers with 50kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of carbon credits for every loaded import container they move through DP World’s UK terminals.
The independently certified credits, issued quarterly, will showcase participating companies’ efforts to reduce the indirect Scope-3 emissions in their supply chains.
Unlike traditional carbon offset credits, which compensate for emissions through external projects like tree planting, the initiative’s inset credits reflect a tangible reduction in emissions achieved directly in a company’s own supply chain.
DP World’s inset credits are generated through its subsidiary, Unifeeder, which incrementally deploys lower-carbon fuels across its northern European shipping network. These credits are verified and pooled, allowing registered importers to access independently certified carbon credits.
For businesses, this represents a transparent and measurable way to cut Scope-3 emissions – indirectly produced along the supply chain, while demonstrating sustainability commitments to customers.
The inset initiative builds on DP World’s Modal Shift Programme, which reduced emissions for its partners by more than 17,000 tonnes in its first year.
John Trenchard, vice president of commercial and supply chain at DP World in the UK, said: “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 providing easy access to an independently certified inset programme, we aim to create better awareness and encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices.
“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.”
According to estimates by DP World, if 50% of import volume participates in the trial at the company’s UK container terminals, this could replace over 11,000 tonnes of traditional fossil fuel with lower-carbon marine fuels, equivalent to reducing 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Christian Hoepfner, director group decarbonisation at Unifeeder Group, stated: “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.”
Businesses can register for the trial and are encouraged to sign up before 31 December 2024 to receive free carbon inset credits.
Earlier this year, DP World opened a second rail service between its Southampton and London Gateway logistics hubs, doubling the rail freight capacity between two of the UK’s largest container ports.
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