DP World has announced the company is trialling a carbon reduction programme at its UK logistics hubs, London Gateway and Sout
hampton, aimed at helping cargo importers cut their emissions.
The six-month trail of DP World’s Carbon Inset Programme will commence on 1 January 2025.
The programme will reward importers with 50kg CO₂e of carbon credits for every loaded import container they move through DP World’s UK terminals.
The credits are independently certified and issued quarterly and will showcase participating companies’ efforts to reduce the indirect (Scope 3) emissions in their supply chains.
What makes them different to traditional carbon offset credits is that they do not compensate for emissions through external projects like tree planting.
Instead, 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 deploys incrementally lower-carbon fuels across its Northern European shipping network.
These credits are verified and pooled, allowing registered importers to access independently certified carbon credits.
John Trenchard, Vice President – Commercial & Supply Chain, DP World in the UK, said: “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.”
Christian Hoepfner, Director Group Decarbonisation at Unifeeder Group, added: “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.”
According to DP World, if 50% of import volume participates in the trial, DP World's UK container terminals could replace 11,000 tonnes of fossil fuel with lower carbon marine fuels, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 tonnes.