Sustainability

Sustainability in action

At Stolt-Nielsen, we understand that we each have an important role to play in protecting our planet and that all resources are precious. In recognition of World Environment Day 2022 and this year's theme, Only One Earth, we created this animation highlighting the recent sustainability achievements across our businesses and our sustainability ambitions for the future.

Our commitment to sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do at Stolt-Nielsen

From our health and safety standards and environmental performance to our asset management, investment decisions and the way we recruit and develop our people, we strive to operate in a way that is safe for both people and the environment.

We understand that our commitment to building a sustainable business must start at the top so, in 2020, we established the Stolt-Nielsen sustainability taskforce, which includes two members of the executive management team and representatives from each division and key stakeholder groups. It meets regularly to discuss performance and opportunities, and to hear from sustainability experts on best practices from other organisations and industries.

The taskforce reports to the Board and at each quarterly senior management meeting where our policies, practices and performance are reviewed to ensure we are driving our standards ever higher for the future.

Engaging with stakeholders

Collaboration is key to our sustainability approach, and we engage with trade associations and other sector-specific organisations on industry trends and best practices.

These include the International Chamber of Shipping, INTERTANKO, ITOPF, Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Global Maritime Forum, IMPA|Save, Koninklijke BLN-Schuttevaer, HiLo, the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative, International Liquid Terminals Association, Associacion Petroquimica y Quimica Latinoamericana, Clean Cargo, Tank Storage Association, Bulk Liquids Industry Association Inc, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Singapore Chemical Industry Council, the International Tank Container Organization, the European Petrochemical Association, The Consumer Goods Forum, the European Federation of Aquaculture Producers and the Norwegian Seafood Council. 

Aligning to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for governments, businesses and individuals to work towards creating a better future for both people and the planet.

Stolt-Nielsen focuses on three SDGs in particular – Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action and Life Below Water – and we use them to guide our approach to sustainability.

UN Global Compact

Stolt-Nielsen is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), an initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Our Code of Business Conduct and supporting global policies incorporate the UNGC Ten Principles, and we reflect the basic concepts of fairness, honesty and respect for people and the environment in the way we operate our business. As a signatory of the UNGC, we report our progress on implementing the Ten Principles and the ways in which we are supporting the 2030 development agenda.

Our sustainability ambitions

We work hard to ensure we meet all current and future environmental regulations at both a local and international level. But we don’t stop there. We also have multiple ambitions of our own to prioritise safety and reduce the environmental impact of our businesses.

Zero harm to people and the environment – this is this is our number-one priority.

Stolt Tankers

  • Reduce carbon intensity by 50% (relative to 2008 levels) by 2030
  • Have at least one carbon-neutral ship in the fleet by 2030
  • Run a carbon-neutral business by 2050

Stolthaven Terminals

  • Primary activities, including the storage and handling of products, to be carbon neutral by 2040

Stolt Tank Containers

  • 50% renewable energy consumption at wholly owned depots by 2030
  • In line with IMO commitments, a 40% reduction in our transportation partners’ carbon footprint (relative to 2008 levels) by 2030

Stolt Sea Farm

  • Zero waste to landfill by 2030, focusing on recycling and energy recovery
  • Reduction of fish products in our ongrowing feed (relative to 2020 levels) by 2030: 65% reduction for sole and 50% reduction for turbot 

Our people and communities

We are proud of our reputation for doing the right thing – from promoting a safe, diverse and inclusive workforce, to supporting the communities in which we operate. It makes us a company people want to work for and do business with.

We play an active part in wider communities that include our customers, employees, neighbours, local authorities, government organisations, NGOs and suppliers. We hire locally and train people for rewarding careers. And our teams are active in supporting projects related to the environment, education and social and economic development.

In 2021, we re-launched the Stolt-Nielsen Employee Disaster Relief Fund to support our staff in New Orleans, US who were impacted by Hurricane Ida. For every USD 1.00 donated to the Fund, SNL contributed USD 2.00. Other community initiatives included contributing 350 food boxes to families living near Stolthaven’s terminal in Santos, Brazil who were experiencing unemployment due to the pandemic.

The Stolt Tank Containers (STC) team in Kandla, India conducted a clean-up project at nearby Mandvi beach, and the team from our depot in Mumbai, India partnered with the local council to organise a tree planting initiative for children. In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, STC donated USD 5,700 to Het Vergeten Kind, a charity that supports vulnerable children. And in London, UK USD 6,500 was donated to the homeless charity Shelter.

Our people

Sustainability Report 2022

Stolt-Nielsen and all our businesses regularly report on our progress against our sustainability strategy, which sets out our commitment to ensuring safety for people and the environment, to achieving our business objectives in an ethical, honest and legal manner, and to supporting the success and welfare of our employees and seafarers.

Our sustainability reports use qualitative descriptions and quantitative metrics to describe our policies, programs, practices, performance and to set targets. Note that many of the standards and metrics used in preparing this report continue to evolve and are based on management assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation, but should not be considered guarantees. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and reasonable expectations at the time of publication, and we assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.

Outlooks, projections, estimates, goals, descriptions of business and other statements of future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual future results could differ materially due to factors, including:

  • changes in global or regional demand, supply and pricing for oil, natural gas, chemicals, feedstocks and other pricing factors affecting the transportation industries such as regional or global supply and demand imbalances and differentials

  • political and regulatory factors, including war, security disturbances, national tax policies, trade policies, environmental policies and the impact of international accords and treaties

  • changes in population size, purchasing power and consumer preferences

  • the timely completion of development and construction projects

  • actions of competitors

  • the outcome of current and future research efforts and the ability to bring new technologies to commercial scale on a cost-competitive basis

  • technical and operating factors.