Maersk wins European Business Award 2010

Monday, 6 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By showing industry leadership on the environmental agenda, the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group won the “Environmental Awareness Award” at an event in Paris last week.

Maersk emerged as one of 10 winners from a field of entrants that ranged from fish farming to renewable energy, and light aircraft to skincare. Together, the entrants have a combined turnover greater than €766 billion Euros (6% of EU GDP) and employ over 3.5 million people.

The awards winners were elected by a select jury of politicians, entrepreneurs, academics and industrialists of different nationalities.

The jury reasoned the award with the Group’s integration of environmental sustainability into the business strategy, and especially Maersk Line’s commitment to transparency and open innovation.

Søren Stig Nielsen, Head of Maersk Line Sustainability, accepted the award on behalf of the Group.

He explains, “The jury highlighted our leadership within slow-steaming and the effects of us sharing our technical experience with others. By doing so, they said, we have not only reduced our customers’ carbon footprint, but we have also reshaped the whole industry,” adding that credit for the award goes to the employees throughout the Group who make an effort to integrate sustainability in the daily operation of the business.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said, “The quality of entrants for this year’s European Business Awards has been staggeringly high and we’ve had the privilege of examining the work of Europe’s most dynamic organisations. To win an award is a remarkable tribute, as each year our judges raise the standard of expectation and are a tough bunch to please.”

This award is presented to an organisation that can best demonstrate a company-wide commitment to minimising its impact on the environment, alongside significant success in minimising its carbon footprint.

Judges look for evidence of a clearly articulated, widely communicated environmental strategy embedded into the company’s business practices. Policies that improve business performance from an environmental perspective and innovative approaches to environmental management are rewarded. Judges also look for measurable evidence of how organisations actively reduce their carbon footprint.

It is the fourth year that the European Business Awards were given out. The awards aim to highlight commercial success, innovation and ethical best practice.

The awards team has engaged with over 15,000 companies in 30 countries. The awards are sponsored by HSBC, RSM International, Infosys and UKTI.