Setting a global course for net zero

In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a course for net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050 with the adoption of its greenhouse gas strategy. This was followed in April 2025 by the approval of the Net-Zero Framework, the first climate law in history to mandate a global industry to cut emissions. The framework introduces annual emissions reduction requirements, a carbon price on fossil fuels starting in 2028 and strict “well-to-wake” certification of all fuels. It’s pending final adoption in October 2025. This global ambition reflects the urgent need to decarbonise one of the most hard-to-abate sectors in the world, shipping. With more than five decades of experience in the green energy transition and a strong maritime heritage, Denmark is well positioned to contribute to this transformation.

This publication highlights existing solutions that support the decarbonisation of the global shipping industry: from green fuels and energy-efficiency to port infrastructure and deployment of renewable energy. Despite being a small country, Denmark is the 12th largest flag state in the world measured by gross tonnage. To give a sense of that scale, every fifth minute a Danish-operated ship calls at a port somewhere in the world. Building on this global footprint and a commitment to sustainability, Denmark has turned its extensive maritime activity into a testing ground for green shipping solutions.

Momentum for transformation

Today, 90 percent of world trade is transported by sea, accounting for three percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions. For years, the shipping industry trailed behind in the green transition. But that is changing. With the IMO’s 2050 net-zero target and supporting framework now in motion, the sector has entered a period of significant transformation. The framework means real momentum for climate action in the sector, although there is still much to realise.

Achieving maritime decarbonisation requires low-carbon energy sources, such as e-fuels, biofuels and electricity, alongside significant improvements in energy efficiency. These shifts will bring structural changes to the sector, including the redesign of vessels, the development of new supply chains and updates to port infrastructure and operations.

While some pathways remain unclear, the sector is already entering a period of significant transformation. This publication is structured around the areas of shipping that are critical to meeting the 2050 net-zero target. It begins by examining shipping’s role in enabling offshore wind, followed by the emerging market of green fuels. It then outlines energy efficiency’s role as a cost-effective lever for decarbonisation. Next, the publication turns to carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as means of reducing emissions. The publication then highlights the need for workforce upskilling before finally focusing on the necessity of ensuring a just and inclusive transition.