...A range of options (click here)Member states have proposed a wide range of options for MEPC's initial strategy. At the most ambitious end of the spectrum, the Marshall Islands has called for eliminating CO2 emissions from shipping by 2035. The world's second-biggest flag state also has the most to lose from climate change, as its average altitude is only seven feet above sea level. The most severe predictions for sea-level rise by the century's end are in the range of 6.5 feet.
Alternatively, to keep shipping in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, EU member states have proposed cutting shipping's emissions by 70 to 100 percent of 2008 levels by 2050. The EU members have leverage: the European Union has already announced that if it is not satisfied with IMO action on climate change, it will act unilaterally to impose its own restrictions on CO2 output from shipping by incorporating the sector into its emissions trading scheme.
The chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, Esben Poulsson, called for IMO member states to compromise and reach an agreement in order to head off regional regulation. “Agreement upon a mid-century objective for the total reduction of CO2 emissions by the sector, regardless of trade growth, will be vital to discourage unilateral action and to provide the signal needed to stimulate the development of zero CO2 fuels," he said.
Poulsson suggested that the EU targets are unlikely to achieve enough support to pass at MEPC next week. As an alternative, Norway would like to see a slightly less ambitious 50 percent cut by 2050, and Japan is calling for a reduction of 50 percent by 2060. ICS, which represents most of the world's fleet, has endorsed the Japanese proposal.
Nine developing nations and top oil-producing states have called for no action....
April 4, 2018By MAREX
...Reducing Emissions (click here)
"When shippers choose the Panama Canal over the Suez Canal to travel from Asia to the U.S. West Coast, they release an estimated 12 percent fewer emissions, and reduce emissions by 18 percent when choosing the Canal over the Cape of Good Hope route." - Alexis Rodriguez
“Our customers know that, as long as they prefer the Panama Canal route to transit their cargo, they will avoid lengthy distances, save time, consume less fuel and therefore emit less greenhouse gases (GHG) or carbon dioxide (CO2),” said Mr. Vargas.
Over the last 103 years, the Canal has directly contributed to the reduction of an estimated 700 million tons of CO2. Thanks to the shorter traveling distance and larger cargo carrying capacity offered by the Expanded Canal, the new waterway is expected to reduce an estimated 160 million tons of CO2 emissions in the next decade alone.
The Green Connection
Beyond offering a shorter, greener route, the Canal is actively taking steps to manage its own resources responsibly – using innovative water-savings basins, sustainable watershed management programs, and planning to become a carbon neutral entity – as well as encourage others to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
“Our environmental responsibility begins with us. But we are also committed to helping the rest of the maritime community understand that, if we do not take action, climate change will impact us. We are equally committed to offering them the tools and incentives to take that action themselves,” Mr. BenÃtez told the crowd. “It’s for this reason we launched the Green Connection initiative, giving incentive to ships that burn fuel efficiently or burn fuel with a low sulfur content, which emit less CO2.”
In July 2016, the Panama Canal launched the Green Connection Environmental Recognition Program, honoring customers exceeding sustainability standards set forth by the IMO. The Program is one of the ways in which the Canal reaffirms its commitment to sustainability both at home and within the industry, providing customers tools and incentives, such as the Green Connection Award and the Emissions Calculator, to lessen their environmental impact....
