Global shipping bodies have revealed a host of high-profile names who will be attending a cross-industry decarbonisation conference at COP26.
Namely, the ministerial level, day-long event will feature some of the world’s leading figures from shipping, energy, and finance. They will translate government ambitions set out at COP’s leaders’ summit and identify actions and recommendations for all parties, including IMO member states. Attendees will also discuss ways to accelerate the much-needed R&D for shipping, and a proposed carbon levy.
The event will bring together leaders from the shipping and energy sectors, with ministers focusing on an equitable energy transition within shipping.
Furthermore, ministers from Cyprus, Chile, Greece, Panama and Kenya are confirmed to attend the conference, to be held on the 6th of November.
Discussion topics at the conference will include:
- Sector decarbonisation.
- R&D, Market based measures and global policy frameworks.
- The reduction of political and financial risk along with ensuring an equitable transition.
‘Shaping the future of Shipping’ will be held on the 6th November at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre, in the midst of COP26.
Guy Platten, secretary general of ICS, commented:
We are bringing together these leaders from across the world so that a green light can be given from governments to unlock investment quickly and get zero carbon ships on the water by 2030
He also added that without shipping, the global energy transition will fail, however “industry can’t invest based on promises and goals.”
This means that without political support our energy transition could be put at serious risk. We need actions and tangible agreements that will release much-needed investment in shipping for the next decade and beyond
In addition, Soren Toft, CEO of lead sponsor MSC, mentioned that this conference represents a key moment in shipping’s transformation to a decarbonised industry.
It is critical that the shipping sector has a supply of zero-emission fuels at scale and that the necessary policy framework and funding for R&D is put in place rapidly to help stimulate the process
For his behalf, Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of sponsor Hapag Lloyd, noted that this is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring about lasting change on shipping’s decarbonisation journey.”
It is clear that the time for promises and goals is over, and we now need tangible action from both industry and government to meet ambitious decarbonisation targets for shipping. We believe that by bringing both parties together at COP26, we can achieve precisely that, and we look forward to welcoming attendees in November
