International shipping is one of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors, responsible for nearly 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But momentum is building. This week, the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is expected to formally adopt a historic regulatory framework for the sector, setting course for climate neutrality by 2050.

To support this message, State of Green has launched a newly updated publication: Towards zero: pathways for decarbonising global shipping. The publication explores how Denmark – one of the world’s largest maritime nations – is translating ambition into action and turning regulation into real-world results.

Denmark’s blueprint for green shipping

With a strong maritime heritage and five decades of leadership in green energy, Denmark is positioning itself as a global testbed for zero-emission shipping solutions. From e-fuels and offshore wind to carbon capture, energy efficiency and green jobs, the updated publication outlines practical pathways for decarbonising international shipping – backed by industry examples and policy alignment.

The publication is structured around six key enablers:

• Green fuels: Scaling e-methanol, ammonia and other fuels through public-private investment and offtake agreements

• Offshore wind: Shipping’s dual role as both a consumer and enabler of renewable energy

• Energy efficiency: Technologies and policies to cut fuel use and reduce the green premium

• Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS): Leveraging Danish maritime expertise to transport and store captured CO₂

• Green jobs: Building a future-proof workforce through reskilling and digital training

• Just transition: Supporting developing countries with infrastructure, funding and capacity-building

From global agreement to local action

The upcoming IMO agreement signals a turning point: with global fuel standards and carbon pricing mechanisms now on the table, the shipping sector has a regulatory runway to align with climate targets. But policy alone won’t cut emissions.

The publication shows how Danish stakeholders—from shipping companies and ports to researchers and regulators—are already taking action. Through real-world case studies from Mærsk, Cadeler, Hempel, DHI, RelyOn, Stillstrom and others, the publication highlights early movers and scalable solutions.

A call for collaboration

While Denmark has been a driving force in international negotiations, the publication emphasises that shipping’s green transition is a global challenge – one that will require bold partnerships, sustained investment and shared knowledge.

As the IMO prepares to adopt its final framework, we hope the publication offers a timely look at how policy, innovation and collaboration can converge to decarbonise one of the world’s most essential and polluting industries.