Based on its environmental agenda, the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group won the “Environmental Awareness Award” Tuesday at an event in Paris.

Maersk became 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 employ more than 3.5 million people and have a combined turnover greater than EUR 766 billion, which is equivalent to 6% of the European Union’s GDP.

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

The jury reasoned the award with Maersk’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.

“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’ footprint, we have also reshaped the whole industry,” Nielsen says.

“The 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,” Nielsen says.

Slow steaming, where vessels slow down to conserve fuel, has contributed significantly to Maersk’s environmental goals, and the work continues. Maersk Line’s aim is to cut CO2 emissions, per container transported, by 25% in 2020 compared with 2007 levels.

He added benefit of slow steaming is that it allows Maersk Line to schedule its deliveries more precisely because vessels can slow down or speed up in order to arrive on time.

At the award ceremony in Paris, Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, lauded the field of participating companies in 2010.

“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,” he said.

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