Shipping’s sustainability pledge

SSI says that the commitments aim to create greater clarity and momentum on the minimum needed across the industry to achieve a truly sustainable industry by 2040.

By signing up to the commitments, each member agrees to:

• Publicly report on sustainability;

• Have a sustainability strategy that links to its core business;

• Set clear reduction targets for environmental issues that are most material to their activities (as per their impacts and an agreed list);

• Deliver a positive impact on people and society.

These joint pledges are said to set a baseline for sustainable practices throughout the SSI and will galvanise the individual efforts of participating companies. They are designed to create real transparency and accountability amongst the membership, serving to drive performance improvement. According to SSI, by delivering against these shared commitments, sustainability will become a core element of business strategy as well as a key barometer for decision-making, driving innovation, as well as progressive and more profitable change.

The shared commitments will also be used as a guideline for new members’ requirements. Among recent organisations joining SSI are American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and IMC Group, a global industrial supply chain and logistic solutions provider. As progress is achieved, the commitments will be refreshed to stretch performance targets and future aspirations.

Members will have until the end of the year to submit their delivery proposals to the SSI Secretariat. These will be based on a range of options and timescales that are provided as a guide to provide flexibility in approach and to reflect the differences in companies’ operations across the value chain.

Stephanie Draper, co-founder and chair of the SSI said: “Tackling fundamental issues such as defining what areas of sustainability are material to an organisation, and how these should be addressed to meet business goals, are critical to any major company’s long-term survival. We hope to inspire other companies within the wider industry to follow suit and realise the commercial benefits for themselves.”