As I take time off on holiday, my TradeWinds colleagues have stayed busy covering decarbonisation topics as the COP27 climate gathering wrapped up in Egypt.
Here’s some of their work:
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Lacklustre COP27 climate talks spark hope for ambitious IMO emission targets revision
Paul Berrill reports that maritime representatives at the COP27 climate talks in Egypt emerged upbeat that shipping’s decarbonisation targets can be brought in line with wider global efforts that are starting to see the opportunities from bringing the industry into the process.
But they stressed it will be hugely costly if more stringent aims and means to achieve those targets in the period up to 2030 are not agreed at the upcoming International Maritime Organization’s meetings to reconsider decarbonisation aims.
Widespread dismay was voiced by environmental activists that COP27 made no progress on phasing out fossil fuels or strengthening pledges to keep global warming to no more than 1.5C, despite a deal on a fund for “loss and damage” to provide financial help to poorer nations hit by climate disasters.
Click here to read the full story.
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IMO urged to ban Arctic fuel oil waivers as Russia and Canada declare opt-out
Last week, Green Seas explored in detail how environmental groups are aiming to raise the profile of black carbon emissions from the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic.
Lucy Hine reports that the Clean Arctic Alliance has now made a direct appeal to the International Maritime Organization, calling on the United Nations body to prevent countries from seeking exemption to a 2024 ban on the fuel for shipping in the region.
Russia and Canada have reportedly asked for a five-year delay.
“IMO Member States must now strengthen the Arctic heavy fuel oil fuel prohibition regulation by removing the option for Arctic coastal states to issue waivers to the requirements,” Clean Arctic Alliance lead advisor Sian Prior said.
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Green corridor hub set up by zero-emission mission
Paul Berrill reports that the public-private partnership Zero-Emission Shipping Mission has set up an online hub to help set up green corridors — the routes aimed at leading the way for the industry’s decarbonisation.
The mission was set up in 2021 by Denmark, the US and Norway, as well as two industry bodies — the Global Maritime Forum and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
The group, which involves 24 governments, wants at least 200 ships burning well-to-wake zero-emission fuels on main ocean routes by 2030 and said green corridors would be a key lever in achieving the aim.
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Ukraine official urges earlier ban on Russian oil products
A key advisor to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used a meeting at COP27 to urge the European Union to move quicker to ban imports of Russian oil products, Paul Peachey reported.
The EU is currently slated to impose the ban on 5 February.
Economic advisor Oleg Ustenko said the timeline should be brought forward.
“We do believe that refined products should be absolutely banned but not … in February of next year. We should start it now,” he said.
