Penningtons Manches Cooper among first signatories to the UK Chamber of Shipping Single-Use Plastic Charter

Posted: 14/12/2020

The UK Chamber of Shipping has recently launched the Single-Use Plastic Charter and Penningtons Manches Cooper is one of the first 29 signatories. The charter aims to encourage companies to ban the use of non-essential single-use plastics by the end of 2021 to help protect the environment now and for future generations. By signing, the firm has pledged to introduce initiatives and replace non-essential single-use plastics as soon as possible, and no later than 31 December 2021.

Single-use plastic is a major issue for the marine environment. Unmeasurable amounts of plastic and microplastic have already polluted the oceans, attracting and binding to other pollutants and increasing their own toxicity in the process. Extensive research has found that 80% of plastic enters the marine environment from land-based sources, particularly through rivers.

Signing up to the Single-Use Plastic Charter sits alongside the wider sustainability strategy at Penningtons Manches Cooper. The firm recognises that the business community has a pivotal role to play in the drive towards environmental responsibility, and as a result has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2030. While emission reduction is a critical part of the overall programme, action to promote sustainable business needs to address other issues, such as marine pollution. This wider approach to sustainable business requires initiatives such as the Single-Use Plastic Charter, which is a vitally important way of promoting sustainable practice across the firm, as well as to the firm’s clients and suppliers.

James Severn, London-based marine, trade and energy partner who has a specific focus on shipping, will be speaking at the UK Chamber of Shipping launch webinar on single-use plastic in the marine environment on Tuesday 15 December 2020. He will present on the work Penningtons Manches Cooper is doing to reduce plastic consumption and will tackle the future possibilities facing the shipping industry as it rises to the challenge of reducing dependency on plastic and improving the water quality of oceans. James said; “As a strong champion of sustainability within the firm, I am delighted that Penningtons Manches Cooper has led the way as one of the first signatories to the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Single-Use Plastic Charter. As well as helping to clear up marine environments and reducing the impact of shipping activities, this initiative ties in with our overarching commitment to sustainable business. Both land and shipping-based activities have a direct impact on the oceans, so it is encouraging to see a range of different companies working with the UK Chamber of Shipping on this key issue.”

The launch webinar will bring together James and three other experts in the sector: Linden Coppell, the director of sustainability at MSC Cruises, Fazilette Khan from Greenseas Trust and Stephen Alexander, secretary general and COO from The International Marine Purchasing Association.

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