10 Additional Freight Buyers Join Collaborations to Decarbonize Maritime Shipping through Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV)

New members participating in ZEMBA’s Request for Proposals for zero-emission (ZE) shipping services include Mondelēz International, Pledge, Reckitt, and REI Co-op. Flexport, Meta, Nestle, Royal Coffee, Standing CT, and Trek Bikes join the coZEV 2040 Ambition Statement, aiming to transition all of their ocean freight to vessels powered by ZE fuels by 2040.

Contact: Clarke Williams
The Aspen Institute
clarke.williams@aspeninstitute.org
+1-703-554-7378

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1 – Today, Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV) is proud to announce the addition of 10 climate-leading companies to coZEV’s collaborative efforts, bringing the total to over 35 freight buyers working together to drive ambition and action toward ZE ocean transport. coZEV announced these additional company partners at COP28 in Dubai as part of the Green Shipping Challenge, a joint initiative between the United States and Norway originally launched at COP27 to help put the shipping sector on a path this decade that is aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C . Making Advanced Market Commitments with ZEMBA to Drive Maritime Sector Investments The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), an initiative of coZEV formed in March 2023, is pleased to announce the addition of four new members: Mondelēz International, Pledge, Reckitt, and REI Co-op, bringing the total to 26 members. These global leaders are working to fast-track commercial deployment of ZE shipping services at scale and create a competitive market for these services through the ZEMBA-facilitated forward procurement process. In September 2023, ZEMBA launched its first Request for Proposals (RfP) for emissions reduction associated with 600,000 twenty-foot containers (TEUs) over a three-year period on ocean vessels powered by ZE fuels. This will help ZEMBA members reduce nearly 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions, and equates to avoiding the emissions of four Ultra Large Container Vessels each transporting 270 million TEU-miles per year of deployment. Another equivalent would be taking 215,000 cars off the road. ZEMBA is currently evaluating qualified bids and a winner of the first ZEMBA tender will be announced in Spring 2024. Freight buyers considering becoming ZEMBA members are still welcome to join this first round tender through January 2024, but are encouraged to reach out to the organizers quickly. To learn more, visit www.shipzemba.org or email zemba@aspeninstitute.org.Exclusive use of Zero-Emission Maritime Shipping by 2040: A Pivotal AmbitionOriginally launched ahead of COP26, the coZEV 2040 Ambition Statementhas been a historic collective signal of cargo owner support for a transition to ZE solutions on a 1.5℃ aligned trajectory and remains the most widely adopted and ambitious 1.5℃ aligned collective private sector-led maritime decarbonization goal to date. Six additional companies – Flexport, Meta, Nestle, Royal Coffee, Standing CT, and Trek Bikes – have joined the 19 existing signatories in stating their intention to only use ZE ocean transport by 2040 and calling on policymakers to support ambitious decarbonization action to support first movers. Continued company interest in the 2040 Ambition Statement also signals increasing desire from manufacturers, consumer goods companies, retailers, and now freight forwarders to work collaboratively to support innovation, harness economies of scale, and foster an economically viable marketplace for ZE shipping. “This year, the maritime industry has demonstrated progress towards a zero-emission future through new investments in dual fuel vessels and at ports, offtake agreements for more climate-friendly fuels, and signals from policymakers of renewed interest in policy support for the nascent ZE shipping market. The work being done by climate-leading freight buyers engaged with coZEV, including policy engagement and ambition signaling, and particularly through ZEMBA’s advanced market commitment, has been an important factor in stimulating that movement,” said Ingrid Irigoyen, Director of coZEV and President and CEO of ZEMBA. “The Green Shipping Challenge is the perfect opportunity to welcome new companies to the coZEV family of climate leaders and expand our relationship with existing champions. Climate-leading cargo owners have a crucial role to play in driving decarbonization in a hard-to-abate sector that is the lifeblood of global trade. As we continue to develop innovative ways to collaborate for impact and build economies of scale, we encourage other companies looking to influence the decarbonization trajectory of this essential industry to join us.”

 ###

About coZEVCargo Owner for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV) is a platform for climate-leading, multinational companies to come together for high impact initiatives that accelerate the transition to zero-emission maritime shipping. It is facilitated by the Aspen Institute. For more information, visit www.coZEV.org About ZEMBAThe Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), a non-profit organization is a first-of-its-kind buyers group within the maritime sector, the aim of which is to accelerate commercial deployment of zero-emission shipping, enable economies of scale, and help cargo owners maximize emissions reduction potential beyond what any one freight buyer could accomplish alone. ZEMBA is an initiative of Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels and facilitated by the Aspen Institute’s  Energy and Environment Program. More information is available at www.cozev.org

Maritime Leaders Urge SBTi to Support Indirect Mitigation Strategies in Net-Zero Guidelines

ZEMBA and Katalist urge SBTi on indirect mitigation to unlock emissions abatement and investment in maritime sector’s clean energy transition.

New NeuroArts Blueprint Analysis Finds Strong Return on Investment from Music Engagement

Groundbreaking report quantifies the economic benefit of improved quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers—showing a $2.40 return for every $1 invested annually.

Aspen Ideas: Climate Partners With University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth as Academic Thought Partner, Announces New Speakers

The collaboration will involve key elements of Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago’s programming, integrating the University of Chicago’s global expertise and cutting-edge research into the agenda. Together, they will co-curate sessions on critical topics such as climate finance, carbon removal, and carbon markets, among others.

Bipartisan Problem-solving: Former Governors Sununu and Cooper to Talk Health Policy at Aspen Ideas: Health

Aspen Ideas: Health announced its latest set of experts and practitioners who will come to Aspen this June 22-25 to speak on health opportunities.

The Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute to Host Inaugural National Youth Leadership Summit in D.C.

The Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute (CRG) will host the first-ever Rising Generations Summit (RGS), a powerful youth-led gathering bringing together more than 100 youth delegates (ages 14-18) from across the United States to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 7.

The Aspen Institute Business & Society Program Announces the 2025 Economic Mobility Fellows

The group of leaders from major corporations including Google, Zillow, and United Airlines will develop projects that drive economic opportunity and mobility in the US.

Announcing Aspen Ideas: Economy – A New Signature Forum from the Aspen Institute

Held during the Aspen Institute’s 75th anniversary year, hundreds of speakers and attendees will converge at the newest iteration of “Aspen Ideas,” the organization’s signature events brand that brings leading voices together to address the most pressing challenges in our society.