Nine major retailers, including Amazon, IKEA, Inditex, and Unilever, have announced they will switch all their ocean freight to vessels powered by zero-carbon fuels by 2020.

Amazon, Brooks Running, Frog Bikes, IKEA, Inditex, Michelin, Patagonia, Tchibo, and Unilever are the first signatories to a 2040 ambition statement facilitated by Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels, a project facilitated by the Aspen Institute and supported by Clean Air Task Force (CATF.)

The initiative aims to use the buying power of the world’s largest cargo owners to accelerate the decarbonisation of the marine shipping sector and to encourage companies to engage in collaborative innovation that drives economies of scale and fosters an economically viable marketplace for zero-carbon shipping.

“In order to combat the climate crisis, we must rapidly decarbonise marine shipping — which accounts for one billion tonnes of carbon emissions per year,” said Jonathan Lewis, director of transportation decarbonisation, CATF. “CATF’s modelling and analysis has found that transitioning the sector from high-emitting fuels to zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia is the pathway with the highest likelihood of success.

“In order to complete that transition, it will take national and international policy leadership, technological advances, and market-driven changes pushed forward by climate-conscious companies. We’re thrilled to see these companies take the lead in charting a new course for marine shipping, and look forward to working with them to help turn ambition into action. We commend these pioneers, and encourage companies around the world to follow their lead.”

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