Forum for the Future has teamed up with WWF International and two major shipping companies to establish a Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI).
As well as BP Shipping and Maersk Line, other founding members include Lloyd’s Register and Dutch state-owned bank ABN Amro.
The initiative aims to develop a sustainable action plan responding to the challenges faced by the industry over the next 30 years. Climate change, carbon taxes, changing cargoes and new weather patterns are cited as examples of the issues it will cover.
Shipping transports 90% of world trade. The industry is coming under increasing pressure to engage in greenhouse gas emission reductions, from NGOs and from businesses seeking to manage supply chain impacts.
The initiative will formally launch its ‘Case for Action’ in May 2011. It wants to bring in shipping companies committed to environmental leadership and hopes to expand the number on board beyond the current two before the launch.