Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com
International Maritime Organization Approves New Emission Reduction Policies
The United Nations body overseeing global marine shipping has officially endorsed new policies aimed at reducing emissions in the sector.
A recent study published in Earth’s Future underscores the urgency of addressing marine shipping emissions.
Investment in Green Energy
Research conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2021 surveyed 149 experts within the marine shipping industry. The findings suggest that the sector anticipates a significant decrease of 30 to 40 percent in carbon intensity—the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of cargo transported over a specific distance—by the year 2030, relative to figures from 2008.
Nevertheless, the researchers expressed skepticism regarding the industry’s ability to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050, predicting reductions would only reach between 40 to 75 percent compared to 2008 levels.
“Achieving these near-term reductions is feasible through a combination of operational and technical advancements; however, realizing net-zero emissions necessitates a pivotal shift towards green energy,” stated Dr. Amanda Giang, senior author and assistant professor at UBC.
Experience Disparities in Emission Reduction Optimism
The study revealed a notable disparity in optimism regarding emissions reductions based on experience level. Participants with less than a decade in the maritime field displayed the most hope for accomplishing emission reduction targets, while those with over 30 years of experience tended to be the most pessimistic.
Navigating Uncertain Waters
As the industry explores alternative energy sources such as ammonia and wind power, transitioning to a green energy fleet is recognized as a long-term commitment. Imranul Laskar, the first author of the study and a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, emphasized the necessity for policy stability to encourage investment in this transition. “The shipping industry has the potential to lead the global energy transition. This is an encouraging development, but challenges remain,” he noted.
Today, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee has approved proposed regulations focused on advancing these initiatives.
Source
www.sciencedaily.com