action on decarbonisation23 Nov 2017 15:03
International shipping industry takes significant action on decarbonisation at UNFCCC COP23
15 November 2017
A group of international shipping industry leaders have joined forces to drive the decarbonisation agenda with a business-focused approach that pushes ahead of regulatory mechanisms at the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The 150+ group of shipping�s most ambitious and commercially-savvy leaders, strategists and entrepreneurs gathered in Bonn to forge a draft Action Plan that maps out how shipping can contribute its �fair share� of GHG reductions and decarbonise quickly and deeply enough to meet the high ambition climate change target of limiting global temperatures to 1.5oC, as indicated in the Paris Agreement.
The summit concluded in consensus that the international shipping industry does have the technology toolbox required for decarbonisation. However, some solutions required are still in late-stage development, not yet mature, or require significant upscaling for deployment and market readiness. Also, participants concluded that investments in alternative fuels are key for shipping to decarbonise in the longer term.
The high ambition approaches and conclusions made by participants at the summit for the baseline requirements of a decarbonisation Action Plan were:
�We will build demonstrator vessels for the trialling of new technologies.
�We will push for the urgent adoption of a science-based target for carbon emissions.
�We will push for a much tighter, more robust Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
�We will build a �coalition of the willing� of those ready to collaborate across the industry in tackling the 1.5oC decarbonisation challenge.
�We will define �transparency� in the industry and drive the adoption of that transparency in relation to emissions and operational data.
�We will ensure that the decarbonisation debate is broadened to involve all stakeholders, enhancing synergies and emission savings across the entire value chain.
�We will develop more global forums based on focused working groups, including an Asia advocacy group.
�We will �Make Shipping Sexy� through communication strategies in order to: �A. foster a multiplier �Ambition� effect to encourage other actors to engage in decarbonisation projects and;
�B. attract new talent to a modernising industry.
Several commitments made at the summit will sit at the core of the decarbonisation Action Plan:
�To make a container ship available as a test/demonstrator vessel for low carbon and zero emissions technologies.
�To urgently work towards the establishment of a CO2 levy to stimulate the uptake of clean technology and low carbon operations.
�To convene a similar summit of the same structure
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