DP World Partners with Pledge to Track Carbon Reductions

DP World has strengthened its commitment to sustainability by partnering with Pledge to track the carbon savings of its UK road-to-rail initiative.

The Modal Shift Programme (MSP) incentivises cargo owners to move freight from road to rail, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of transport operations.

Measuring carbon for sustainability goals

The MSP, focused on reducing emissions within a 140-mile radius of the Port of Southampton, provides financial incentives for cargo owners to switch from road to rail.

This shift not only reduces road congestion but also boosts the underused UK rail freight network. DP World turned to Pledge to accurately measure the carbon impact of this transition.

Pledge, a platform founded in 2021, helps freight forwarders measure, report, reduce and offset their Scope 3 emissions. Accredited by the Smart Freight Centre, Pledge adheres to the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework, making it a trusted partner for tracking and reporting logistics emissions.

DP World now uses Pledge’s tools to monitor the carbon savings of each container leaving Southampton by rail.

John Trenchard, VP UK Commercial & Supply Chain at DP World, highlights the importance of precise carbon measurement: “The Modal Shift Programme has enabled our customers to effectively use rail to achieve lower carbon for supply chains serving the UK.

"Given the scale and originality of the programme, we chose Pledge for its reliable, independent carbon savings calculations. The solution is user-friendly and tailored for mass journey analysis.”

Reversing trends and reducing emissions

Before the launch of the MSP in September 2023, rail freight from Southampton had declined by 10% over the past decade.

However, the programme has successfully reversed this trend, increasing the share of freight moved by rail from 21% to 30% in just six months.

The MSP has already prevented 6,400 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) from entering the atmosphere. The Pledge platform facilitates these calculations by analysing cargo weight, journey specifics and vehicle data to determine the difference in emissions between road and rail transport, translating this into measurable carbon savings.

Inspiring global change

David de Picciotto, Co-Founder and CEO of Pledge, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We’re excited to work with DP World to provide ongoing, data-driven proof of the Modal Shift Programme’s impact.

"Understanding and quantifying emissions is essential for global businesses and the first step towards meaningful reduction.

"The success in Southampton could inspire other ports and transit hubs worldwide to tackle the climate crisis effectively.”

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