UK leads bid for green shipping lanes by 2030
BRITAIN is spearheading plans for “green” shipping lanes that produce no damaging emissions.
Vessels travelling along the corridors will be powered by zero-emission fuel to help improve global air quality.
Any land infrastructure will also be decarbonised, meaning shipping will be clean from end-to-end.
The UK will join forces with the US, Norway and the Netherlands to roll out decarbonised routes they hope will be commonplace by the end of the decade.
The four nations will issue a historic joint statement at the climate summit today.
Transport Secretary
Mark Harper said: “The challenges posed by climate change are clear and the need to decarbonise maritime has never been greater.
“That’s why we’ve committed to work alongside global partners to clean up the sector, improve air quality in and around our ports and coastal communities and drive green investment into our economy.
“But we must not lose momentum. I’m delighted to say the UK has agreed to begin developing green shipping routes with some of our closest allies, as we work together to realise the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming.”
The international maritime sector is responsible for almost three per cent of world emissions.
If it were a country, experts say it would be the world’s eighth largest emitter.
The International Maritime Organisation says 100,000 giant ships sail the world’s oceans, transporting 80 to 90 per cent of everything traded internationally.
Most of the vessels are propelled by engines that burn heavy fuel oil – the material left over from refining crude oil.
Large multi-national organisations aim to cut emissions from shipping by 50 per cent in the coming years.
Experts are looking at methods to clean up ship emissions and are considering alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.