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A.P. Moller - Maersk
Sustainability Report 2021
Ecosystem health and biodiversity There is an evolving understanding of the gravity of the loss of biodiversity on land and in the oceans⁶ and there is increased global momentum in this field. The UN is working towards new global goals for biodiversity, the EU is developing standards for reporting on biodiversity for inclusion in the taxonomy for sustainable activities, and the UN Ocean Summit will be held in 2022. We recognise that biodiversity increasingly is a priority for our stakeholders, and we are committed to engaging in research and dialogue to enhance our understanding of our potential impacts and how we can contribute, including by leveraging natural climate solutions. We are currently most heavily invested in ocean-related aspects of this agenda. Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and contain about 97% of its water. They redistribute CO₂ and heat, supply people and communities with food, water, renewable energy, and build livelihoods through tourism, trade and transport. Our first obligation is to comply with existing rules and regulations that safeguard ocean health. For Maersk, this includes managing fuels or chemical substances to avoid spills into water, managing waste to keep it out of the oceans and living up to the requirements of the ballast water management convention. For each of these areas, we have policies and procedures in place to manage and mitigate risks. On top of this, we collaborate to protect and restore ocean health. For example, we are signatories to the Ocean for Climate Declaration launched during COP 26 and we continue our membership of the Ocean Stewardship Coalition (formerly called the UN Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business). The topic of deep-sea mining in sensitive areas was a subject of public debate in 2021. Maersk Supply Service provided marine services to a customer, between 2018-2021, to enable environmental impact and baseline assessments for deep-sea
Environment | Environment and ecosystems
research. This contract has been concluded. Our work was conducted in accordance with ISA (International Seabed Authority) regulations. Avoiding invasive species from ballast water We comply with international conventions to perform pest control and install ballast water treatment systems on our vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species as we carry goods across ecosystems. The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) obligates shipowners to have such systems installed on all vessels by 2024. We have completed installation on 53% of our fleet and are on track to comply with the full target. Operating in sensitive and protected areas We follow all mandatory speed reduction schemes at sea and avoid restricted zones to reduce risk of whale strikes and disturbing whales breeding. In 2021, we engaged in dialogue with WWF on this topic. It is an area where more research is needed
Introduction and strategy
to fully understand how underwater noise from ships can be reduced, and we intend to initiate a study together with partners in 2022. In our landside operations, we must ensure all necessary permits are in place to operate in sensitive or protected areas. We complete environmental impact assessments for construction projects where this is required by local laws. During 2022, we will work to set targets and develop a global standard. Also in 2022, we will work to set targets and develop systems to allow us to monitor and report on compliance for both ocean and landside activities in marine protected areas, protected areas on land and areas of protected conservation status. Supporting ocean science As an organisation committed to responding to and acting on science, we feel a special obligation to support ocean science in the areas where we have an impact on the environment and ecosystems. In this
The Ocean Cleanup's System 002 deployed for testing in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 6 www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-risks-report-2021
Progress on ESG
Data and assurance
Targets - ecosystem health and biodiversity • Avoid invasive species from ballast water • Avoid or minimise operations in sensitive or protected areas in oceans and on land • Support ocean health through scientific research collaborations and partnerships including The Ocean Cleanup • Avoid transport of illegal wildlife and endangered species
regard we see our vessels as a unique platform for collecting data for science. Current activities include: • Our entire fleet of approximately 300 Maerskowned vessels collect and transmit weather data at sea as part of a project run by the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO.
