Net zero is not a burden, but an opportunity to be seized
London Gateway port (Associated Press / Alamy)
4 min read
Growth underpins global prosperity. For DP World, which handles more than 10 per cent of the world’s container trade, it is a long-term, strategic pursuit. Political cycles may shift, but the demand for efficient, connected trade infrastructure is constant, and rising.
Our approach to growth is grounded in long-term planning, not just about immediate gains, but building robust, future-ready supply chains and operations. Crucially, our commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation is inseparable from our growth agenda. We see sustainability as a competitive advantage, one that helps accelerate, not slow, economic opportunity.
We have a clear vision for a sustainable future. Alongside delivering economic value, we are developing smarter, cleaner supply chains for generations to come. This includes a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. We continue to invest in our business to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions to the direct benefit of our customers and communities, and work with our suppliers to reduce our Scope 3 supply chain emissions.
Our approach is shaped by our customers, who have set their own ambitious targets. They demand that their partners, like DP World, do the same. The public holds a similar position, with recent polling by More in Common (MiC) showing 60 per cent of Britons remain worried about the impacts of climate change. This concern is not fleeting; people can see the world around them is changing, and that the UK must adapt to remain resilient. While the proportion of people worried about climate change has dipped slightly since 2024, a clear majority still believe that adapting to a changing climate is essential to the UK’s resilience and competitiveness.
This translates into a broad consensus on the necessity of transitioning to net zero – despite the doomsayers. By a margin of 54 per cent to 32 per cent, Britons say it is essential that the UK moves towards net zero. In MiC’s focus group polling, participants described net zero as “future-proofing” the country – strengthening energy security, fostering innovation, and ensuring the UK remains competitive as new technologies reshape the global economy.
There is a clear message for policymakers: the public appetite is for progress, not procrastination. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of Britons think the government should either maintain its current pace or accelerate efforts to reach net zero. Only 16 per cent want to see the process slowed down, and a mere 12 per cent believe the government should do nothing to push businesses to decarbonise. People are pragmatic. They know the transition brings challenges and costs, but they still want leadership and fairness in how it is delivered.
Integrating sustainable practices into global trade is not only the right thing to do, it’s also a smart business move
This is not just a clarion call for government action; it is a call for partnership. Britons overwhelmingly support measures that require companies to decarbonise their operations. They understand that the transition to net zero is not just a government responsibility - it is a shared endeavour that requires leadership from every sector of society, including business.
At DP World, we are determined to play our part. Our sustainability strategy is built on the belief that integrating sustainable practices into global trade is not only the right thing to do, it’s also a smart business move. Integrating low-carbon innovation into trade is both environmentally essential, and commercially smart.
Our modal shift programme has already moved 125,000 containers from road to rail, supported by incentives to customers, with around 30 per cent of containers now leaving Southampton by train. This initiative, and additional train services at the port have saved 11 million truck miles and 32,500 tonnes of carbon emissions. At London Gateway, we’ve opened the UK’s first all-electric berth, served by a growing fleet of electric straddle carriers, further reducing the environmental impact of operating one of the UK’s largest container ports.
Our latest step, a £200m investment, brings BoxBay high-bay storage technology to London Gateway – taking the transformation even further. BoxBay will cut energy intensity, while improving efficiency by staking containers vertically in an automated and renewably powered system. It’s the first full scale operation of its kind in the world, and a tangible example of how innovation can deliver both sustainability and competitiveness for UK trade.
The transition to net zero is not a burden to be borne; it is an opportunity to be seized. It is a chance to build a stronger, more resilient Britain - one that leads the world in innovation, energy security and sustainable prosperity. The public mandate is clear: Britons want action, they want fairness and they want a future that is secure for generations to come.
At DP World, we are proud to stand with the British public in this endeavour. Together, we can future-proof our economy, our environment and our planet. The time to act is now.
Nicholas Mazzei is vice-president for sustainability at DP World Europe
