On October 12, 2015 the International Transport Forum called for global, enforceable regulations for the maritime industry to reduce carbon emissions by half over the next 35 years and entirely by 2080 according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The ITF, a research arm of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, said the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) should impose the standards across the maritime industry, from container shipping lines to tanker operators, and set up a series of requirements that would include a carbon tax.
In a policy brief, ITF Analyst Olaf Merk recommended the IMO, which regulates shipping emissions, submit regular reports on the industry’s progress toward meeting the goals. The call comes ahead of the U.N.’s conference on climate change, known as COP 21, in December in Paris. The conference will bring together representatives from governments, nongovernmental organizations and U.N. agencies, with the goal of reaching a legally-binding agreement among nations to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
“It would be odd if countries are expected to adhere to emission targets but not the shipping sector, especially since it would be impossible to apportion shipping emissions to countries,” the ITF said in the policy brief.
The research and policy-coordination group said greenhouse gas emissions in shipping must be cut in half by 2050 and reach zero by 2080 to achieve the goals set out by the U.N. Framework on Climate Change. In 2012, the shipping industry contributed 800 million metric tons, or 2.2%, of world-wide carbon emissions, with the majority coming from container ships, bulk carriers and tankers, according to the ITF.
What this means to you
In 2012 the shipping industry contributed 800 million metric tons, or 2.2%, of world-wide carbon emissions. ITF recommends the International Maritime Organization (IMO) submits regular progress on reducing the industry’s emissions.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn more about controlling marine engine emissions.
