DP World Outlines Plans for Sustainable Business Strategies

DP World's 2025 Sustainability Report demonstrates how the logistics company is integrating environmental targets with commercial growth strategies. The report examines procurement practices, customer-facing decarbonisation solutions and operational investments designed to support business resilience while working towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to the report, DP World achieved a 14% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined compared to its 2022 baseline. The company now sources 67.6% of its electricity from renewable sources and has set targets of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

Procurement governance strengthens competitiveness

DP World's Double Materiality Assessment identified supplier engagement, responsible sourcing and supply chain governance as major sustainability priorities because disruptions, carbon taxes and environmental compliance costs can affect operations. The company is working with suppliers, contractors and business partners through due diligence processes, vendor codes of conduct and ESG requirements.

In 2025, the company screened 500 suppliers, representing approximately 18% of global spend. This approach could strengthen procurement integration and improve Scope 3 emissions reporting, which reached 3,259,433 tonnes CO₂e in 2025.

According to the report, major contributions to Scope 3 emissions came from upstream and downstream transport, fuel and energy-related activities, capital goods and purchased goods and services. The company is continuing to strengthen customer-facing decarbonisation solutions as part of its commercial strategy.

"A sustainable future requires ambition, collaboration and perseverance," says Yuvraj Narayan, Group Chief Executive Officer, in the report. "With the support of our employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, I am confident that we will continue to shape a more resilient, more inclusive and more sustainable future for global trade."

Customer partnerships drive emissions reductions

DP World continues to collaborate with customers and industry partners to create lower-emission logistics corridors and resilient trade networks. A key example includes the UK modal shift initiative, which moved 100,000 containers from road to rail, avoiding more than 25,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.

"Across Europe, the conversation on decarbonisation is shifting. What was once defined by pilot projects is now being measured by execution. The moment of transition is no longer in the future, it is now," says Rashid Abdulla, CEO and MD for Europe at DP World, on LinkedIn. "From electrified terminals, shore power and low-emission corridors, the direction is clear that energy transition in logistics must operate at scale to deliver real impact."

Rashid adds that rising fossil fuel prices mean the total cost of ownership of heavy road transport now favours electric solutions. This could mean the energy transition represents an economic transition for both the business and its customers.

"Research estimates suggest up to US$275tn will be deployed globally in the transition by 2050 and logistics infrastructure will be central to that shift," says Rashid on LinkedIn. "Across our business, we are embedding decarbonisation into everyday operations, through electrification, modal shift to rail and barge, smarter asset utilisation and integrated infrastructure that connects physical assets with a digital layer. Not as isolated initiatives, but as a fully integrated programme that defines how trade moves."

Electrification investments support operational efficiency

Manufacturing and operational efficiency play an important role in DP World's sustainability strategy, particularly through the electrification of equipment and transport systems. The company is investing in EVs and low-carbon technologies across ports, terminals and logistics operations.

In 2025, DP World expanded electric truck operations in Germany, introduced electric internal transfer vehicles at terminals in the Philippines, Thailand and Australia and deployed electric forklifts in Chile. According to the report, DP World recorded Scope 1 emissions of 3,066,430 tonnes CO₂e, with marine services contributing 67% of total Scope 1 emissions.

To counteract marine service emissions, the company has issued US$67.74m to date in blue bond allocations. These initiatives are designed to reduce diesel consumption, lower emissions, improve air quality and increase operational efficiency while supporting the company's long-term decarbonisation goals.

"This year's report shares our refreshed strategy that looks to clarify and measure impact," says Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice President Sustainability, at DP World on LinkedIn. "The intention is to take a practical business approach prioritising our customers and partners. What is distinct about the refresh is the newly introduced enablers that prioritise governance and risk and innovation and opportunity."

Renewable energy expansion reduces costs

Climate change is identified by DP World as one of the most material issues affecting the company because of the operational and financial risks linked to extreme weather, rising energy costs and regulatory changes. To address these challenges, the company has committed to achieving net zero across all scopes by 2050 and sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2040.

DP World is expanding renewable energy projects across its global operations, including rooftop solar installations in Türkiye and South Africa, renewable power purchase agreements across several regions and renewable electricity programmes in Australia. In 2025, the company consumed a total of 49,310,616,630 MJ of energy globally.

According to the report, 5,382,966,789 MJ came from renewable sources, including solar, wind and green electricity procurement. The company also continues to invest in energy-efficient technologies, electrification and low-carbon fuels to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

DP World also reports a 54% reduction in Scope 2 market-based emissions compared to the 2022 baseline. This could show strong progress in decarbonising electricity consumption.

Digital innovation improves margins

Innovation forms a major part of DP World's approach to sustainability and decarbonisation. The company is using AI, digitalisation and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and optimise logistics networks.

Projects such as automated stacking cranes, AI-powered operational systems and paperless customs workflows are helping reduce emissions while improving productivity across terminals and transport corridors. DP World is also investing in low-carbon fuels, renewable diesel, hydrogen fuel cell technologies and carbon compensation projects to address emissions that cannot yet be eliminated.

Through partnerships with organisations such as the Zero Emission Port Alliance and the World Economic Forum's First Movers Coalition, the company continues to support industry-wide climate action and sustainable trade. These initiatives reinforce DP World's ambition to create resilient, low-carbon supply chains while progressing towards its net zero target for 2050.