Tag: GHG

According to the 2012 State of the Climate report released online by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), last year war one of the ten warmest years on record globally.

New EU-wide system for the monitoring, reporting and verification of shipping emissions

Focus on emissions from large ships The European Commission today took the first step towardscutting greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. It proposed legislation which will require owners of large ships using EU ports to monitor and report the ships' annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Commission also published aCommunication setting out its strategy to address and reduce these emissions, preferably through measures at global level.Connie Hedegaard, EUCommissioner for Climate Action, said: "Today we are charting a clear coursetowards reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions. The EU monitoring system will bring environmental and economic gains for the shipping sector by increasing transparency about emissions and creating an incentive for ship-owners to cut them. This initiative is fully in line with the latest proposals on global fuel efficiency standards and market-based measures being discussed in the International Maritime Organization. Robust monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions is an essential precondition for informed discussions in Europe and worldwide on reduction targets for the sector."Siim Kallas, Commission Vice-President, responsible for mobility and transport, said:"We recognise that shipping must contribute to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preferably through global measures which are the most environmentally effective and make economic sense. For a global ...

Greenhouse gases: 2011 emissions lower than previously estimated

IMO pushes forward with energy-efficiency implementation The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met for its 65th session from 13 to 17 May 2013, at IMO Headquarters in London.The Committee made significant progress in its work on further developing energy-efficiency regulations; adopted an MEPC Resolution on Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships; and gave the go-ahead to carry out an update to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions' estimate for international shipping. It also agreed a draft Assembly resolution to address the implementation of the Ballast Water Management convention and approved a number of ballast water treatment systems.Resolution on technical cooperation for energy efficiency measures adoptedThe MEPC adopted an MEPC Resolution on Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships, which, among other things, requests the Organization, through its various programmes, to provide technical assistance to Member States to enable cooperation in the transfer of energy efficient technologies to developing countries in particular; and further assist in the sourcing of funding for capacity building and support to States, in particular developing States, which have requested technology ...

IMO pushes forward with energy efficiency

Canada to begin enforcing low sulphur regulations

2013 Green4Sea Forum - Eirik Nyhus

The impact of international shipping on European air quality and climate forcing

Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from the shipping sector have increased substantially in the last two decades, contributing to both climate change and air pollution problems, according to a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).The shipping sector needs an integrated monitoring, reporting and verification system for emissions in European waters to systematically address both types of emissions together, the report says.Air pollutants emitted by shipping can affect air quality in many areas, particularly around ports and busy shipping channels. The release of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from international shipping has a complex effect on the climate - greenhouse gas emissions have a warming effect, while on the other hand some air pollutants lead to cooling.Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said: "This study shows the complex effects different emissions are having on the planet. We need initiatives that protect the environment as an overall system. The choice between either clean air or mitigating climate change is a falsedichotomy - Europe needs both. By avoiding unnecessary movement of goods and improving transport efficiency, we can address both air pollution and greenhouse gas mitigation together."At the global level, the combined emissions from ships have a net cooling effect on ...