In a landmark decision, the UK shipping industry has agreed that the international shipping sector must pursue a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. This is a decision that the UK Chamber of shipping supports.
International regulations require the global shipping industry to cut their emissions by 50% compared to 2008 levels. But the UK Chamber of Shipping has now confirmed it wants the IMO to double this target and commit to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The shipping industry currently contributes around 2.4% of global greenhouse gases each year whilst moving about 90% of world trade.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
To build back both better and greener, we must work side by side with the industry and I warmly welcome the UK Chamber of Shipping’s decisive push in driving forward the transition to net-zero international shipping and trade by 2050
Tackling climate change has also been a key priority for Chamber Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti, who explained that:
At the UK Chamber of Shipping we want to be at the forefront of the green agenda and now is the time to call for radical action. The aim of cutting shipping’s emissions by 50% just doesn’t go far enough. We need to show the world we mean business and it is imperative that the IMO commits to a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050
What is more, UK Chamber of Shipping President John Denholm, added that the world needs to know the shipping sector takes its responsibilities seriously and by setting the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, people would be in no doubt about the green credentials of the shipping industry.
The UK Government recently published its Sixth Carbon Budget which included shipping for the first time and the recent Transport Decarbonisation Plan called for shipping to reach net-zero by 2050.
However, this has not been agreed at an international level and the UK Chamber of Shipping is now calling on the IMO to take drastic action and commit to a net-zero target.
EXPLORE MORE ON THE POSITION ON IMO CLIMATE TARGET
