The shipping industry is finally sailing in the right direction on climate change but far too slowly, leading analysts and a coalition of clean shipping groups warned today.

The groups were responding to an announcement by the International Chamber of Shipping that it – and others – support ambitious CO2 reductions.

Maurice Meehan, Director of Global Shipping Operations, Carbon War Room

 

 

“While we commend BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, and ICS for publishing this statement, the objectives lack the ambition that the world expects of the shipping industry. This position effectively states that from today until 2050, overall GHG emissions levels will stay roughly where they were at their height in 2008.

“The Paris Agreement has set the world on a 2-degree trajectory and shipping must make goals in line with this, which equate to a 50% reduction in actual annual GHG emissions by 2050, not just operational efficiency goals which fails to account for future growth in the sector.

“We do acknowledge the group’s submissions to MEPC 71, which states that IMO should “reduce international shipping’s total CO2 emissions by an agreed percentage by 2025” and that this should be part of the strategy announced in 2018. Carbon War Room does support a total reduction target that brings shipping in line with the Paris Agreement’s goals.”

 

 

Faig Abbasov, Clean Shipping Coalition

 

 

“To achieve an effective global deal we will need real leadership from the industry and less decorative words. No commitment to cap and reduce global emissions in absolute terms by at least 50% by 2050 compared to current levels is hardly a break from business as usual. The industry’s ‘ambitious’ proposal explicitly refuses this commitment. It is high time to shape up or ship out.”

 

 

Source: Global Strategic Communications Council