Norden and Microsoft pilot maritime emissions reduction system

Shipping company Norden has become the first maritime operator to receive RSB Book & Claim trader certification, enabling the delivery of verified emissions reductions through the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) registry. In a pilot project with Microsoft, the initiative allows companies to account for reduced shipping emissions without requiring sustainable fuel to be used on the specific voyage carrying their cargo.

This Book & Claim model decouples fuel consumption from emissions accounting, allowing cargo owners to finance decarbonization by purchasing verified reductions linked to biofuel use elsewhere in the industry. For Microsoft, the pilot is expected to deliver nearly 10,000 tonnes of CO2e reductions over three years as part of its broader commitment to reducing supply chain emissions.

The mechanism addresses logistical and financial barriers to scaling sustainable marine fuels. By leveraging this registry, Norden positions itself as a first-mover in providing ESG-linked logistics, while the RSB plans to update its framework to support wider maritime transport use.