UK committee releases net zero and shipping report

The Environmental Audit Committee has released its findings on ‘net

zero and UK shipping’.

In March 2021, the Committee opened an investigation into measures to

decarbonise civil aviation and shipping, two of the UK’s most difficult

industries to reduce.

In its report, the Committee offers numerous suggestions, the most

important of which is that the government release an update to the 2019 Clean

Maritime Plan within three months of the 2024 Parliament’s State Opening.

　　Among the detailed recommendations made by the Committee are proposals that

the Government should:

• 　　Urgently evaluate the merits of implementing a voyage-based assessment of

  the UK’s contribution to international shipping emissions.

• 　　Set ambitious but attainable intermediate objectives for UK domestic and

  international shipping emissions, in line with carbon budget needs and the

  overall 2050 net zero aim.

• 　　Send strong and unequivocal signals to the UK maritime industry that it is

  committed to assisting with its transition to net zero, including examining

  financing prospects for the decarbonisation of UK shipping and matching money

  for research and development until at least 2030.

• 　　Create a strategy to assist the production of zero-emission maritime fuels,

  accompanied by a delivery plan with specific production milestones, and consult

  on the implementation of a revenue support mechanism to encourage commercial

  production of zero-emission marine fuels.

Recently, the University of Plymouth announced an initiative to demonstrate

how sustainable maritime technology can give energy flexibility to harbours and

ports.