Minneapolis has become the third US city to approve a resolution calling on major importers to adopt 100% zero-emission shipping by 2030.
The unanimous vote to sign a so-called Ship It Zero resolution by the Minnesota city comes after similar resolutions by Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Unlike those cities, Minneapolis is not a major container port. But it holds significance as the home of the headquarters of retail giant Target, one of the top import polluters identified by the Ship It Zero coalition.
“Due primarily to its reliance on fossil-fuelled propulsion, the international shipping industry is one of the world’s largest climate polluters, emitting 1bn metric tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, more than all coal plants in the US combined,” the Minneapolis City Council said in its resolution.
“The international shipping industry’s pollution is on the rise and is expected to comprise 17% of global CO2 emissions by 2050 without urgent action.”
The Ship It Zero Coalition is led by environmental groups Pacific Environment, STAND.earth and Sort Your Ship Out.
It also wants zero-emission shipping commitments from Amazon, Ikea and Walmart, among other major importers.
The Minneapolis resolution was introduced by city council president Andrea Jenkins and member Robin Wonsley Worlobah.
“Given the enormous impact of climate change has on our environment, economic circumstances and public health, I am proud to support this initiative that could potentially help address these very real concerns,” Jenkins said in a Ship It Zero press release.
“This resolution calls on large retailers to abandon fossil-fuelled ships and transition to 100% zero-emission ships by 2030, serves to create awareness about the devastating climate impacts of the maritime shipping industry across the county and is a first step in initiating conversations with local retailers and government partners to advocate for greater climate strategies that address the subsequent air and water pollution from these practices.”
A Target spokesman told TradeWinds that the company is aiming to tackle its carbon footprint through its Target Forward sustainability initiative.
“This strategy includes reducing our shipping carbon footprint as we work toward our goal of being a net-zero enterprise by 2040, with net zero emissions across both our operations and supply chain,” he said.
Dawny’all Heydari, Ship It Zero campaign lead at Pacific Environment, said Target’s hometown is making history by passing the resolution.
“As citizens, communities and cities rise up for a just future at America’s ports, free of climate-disrupting, life-shortening ship pollution, retailers like Target must heed the call to remain competitive in the 21st century,” she said.
