Technology giant Microsoft has joined forces with Danish shipping company NORDEN in a pioneering pilot project aimed at reducing carbon emissions across its maritime supply chain. The initiative leverages NORDEN’s certified biofuel voyages and a Book and Claim system to help Microsoft meet its sustainability goals.
Under the three-year pilot, Microsoft is expected to cut nearly 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent from its Scope 3 maritime emissions — the category covering indirect emissions from its supply chain. The project exemplifies a growing corporate focus on decarbonizing complex logistics networks.
Julia Fidler, who leads Fuel and Material Decarbonization under Microsoft’s Environmental Sustainability division, said the collaboration with NORDEN and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) would help develop the infrastructure needed to credibly track and verify emissions reductions.
“This partnership supports Microsoft’s commitment to reducing supply chain emissions transparently and effectively,” said Fidler. “The pilot also encourages broader adoption of sustainable maritime fuels through a trusted registry framework.”
The initiative will also test enhancements to the RSB’s internationally recognized Book and Claim system — a method that allows companies to purchase verified emissions reductions from low-carbon fuel use, even when they are not directly involved in the actual transport.
Anne Jensen, Chief Operating Officer at NORDEN, welcomed the collaboration. “We are pleased to work alongside Microsoft, a partner that shares our vision to scale up the use of low-carbon fuels and support the decarbonization of global shipping.”
How the Book and Claim Model Works
The Book and Claim approach enables companies like Microsoft to reduce their emissions footprint without relying solely on emissions reductions from directly contracted shipping providers. In this pilot, NORDEN used waste-based biofuels — certified to cut life cycle CO₂ emissions by 80–90% compared to fossil fuels — across several voyages. The resulting emissions savings were then transferred to Microsoft through a verified credit system.
The system underwent rigorous validation, including dual audits by independent verifiers. It operates under a framework established by the Smart Freight Centre, ensuring both transparency and traceability in emissions accounting.
The collaboration marks a significant step in scalable decarbonization efforts for maritime logistics and signals the potential of Book and Claim systems in accelerating the transition to greener global trade.
