At the start of the COP16 United Nations Climate Change conference which opened yesterday in Cancun the head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon made a passionate plea for unity in the fight to preserve the planet and criticised the efforts of governments thus far. In a speech indicating that he had little faith that satisfactory and effective resolutions would be found, the Secretary General called upon industrial leaders, including those in the freight and logistics sector, to produce workable solutions to the problems.

COP16 is attended by 194 nations who agreed to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the same bunch who failed to come up with any truly globally effective measures when they discussed the Kyoto Protocol, a process which has dragged on for thirteen years during which the two largest contributors to global pollution failed miserably to agree to any binding targets.

Now it seems Mr Ban has realised that the posing and infighting which is a feature of international politics is probably going to result in too little, too late if left to the authorities. He told the conference:

"I am deeply concerned that our efforts so far have been insufficient. Nature will not wait while we negotiate. Science warns that the window of opportunity to prevent uncontrolled climate change will soon close."

Shipping often comes under fire from environmental lobbyists and is doubtless a high volume producer of pollution, despite the numerous attempts by ocean freight carriers to reduce their and their customers, level of pollutants. Now however owners of the world's largest container shipping line with over 2 million TEU capacity, and environmental award winners, AP Moller Maersk, has reacted immediately to Mr Ban's plea saying they want to encourage political leaders to create standards and clarity so customers and consumers in the future, ultimately, can follow the carbon foot print of the products they buy.