CO2 emission from shipping could be cut by more than 80 per cent by 2035, according to new OECD report. Photo: Flickr.com / Yoda NavaRrete CC BY

Decarbonisation of maritime shipping possible by 2035

A new report published by the OECD says that maximum deployment of currently known technologies could make it possible to achieve almost complete decarbonisation of maritime shipping by 2035. The report includes the following assessment:

“The four potential decarbonisation pathways for shipping identified in the report would result in a CO₂ emission reduction between 82 and 95 per cent of the currently projected 2035 level. This reduction equals the annual emissions of approximately 185 coal-fired power plants. Remaining CO₂ emissions would be between 44 and 156 million tonnes in 2035.

This compares to a business-as-usual scenario in which carbon emissions from international shipping are projected to increase 23 per cent to 1,090 million tonnes by 2035 compared to the 2015 level. An adjusted baseline projects carbon emissions from maritime shipping of 850 million tonnes by 2035 – equivalent to the annual emissions of 210 coal-fired power plants. The adjusted baseline scenario assumes a substantial reduction in the transport of fossil fuels and a higher share of intra-regional trade.

Alternative fuels and renewable energy can deliver much of required reductions. Advanced biofuels are already available in limited quantities. Gradually, they should be complemented by other natural or synthetic fuels such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. Wind assistance could reap additional reductions.

The first electric ships provide transport for short-distance routes. Technological measures to improve energy efficiency of ships could yield a substantial part of the needed emission reductions. Market-mature options include, among others, hull design improvements, air lubrication and bulbous bows. Finally, operational measures such as ship speed reductions, smoother ship-port interfaces and increased ship size could achieve further important emission reductions.”

Source: https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/decarbonising-maritime...

Shipping

In this issue

EU ship sulphur directive scrutinized

Sulphur emissions from ships in northern Europe have come down significantly, resulting in health and environmental improvements in coastal regions and port cities.

Editorial: Everyone's right to clean air

Evidence of the health hazards posed by air pollutants is clear and unambiguous. Air pollution particularly affects vulnerable groups such as infants, children, the elderly and ...

Wind and solar can be integrated into the grid

There are strategies to manage variablity in electricity generation. A succesful example is Denmark, which somtimes produces more than half of its electricity from wind and solar.

Renewables are rolling out rapidly

Between 2005 and 2015 wind power grew fourfold and solar by a factor of 72 in the EU. But this growth is very unevenly spread in the EU and in wider Europe.

Limits to achieving “4 per 1000” target

Increasing carbon stocks in agricultural soils is promoted as a climate mitigation practice. Scientists show that the potential in Europe might be overestimated.

Savings threat to a more sustainable agriculture

Less funding for environmental measures and increased flexibility for member states are bleak, but likely expectations of a post-2020 Common Agriculural Policy (CAP).

Eating healthily and sustainably

Reducing meat and calories is a win-win for health and the environment. An optimised Low Lands diet is a Dutch concept to make the transition more culturally acceptable.

IMO adopts greenhouse gas strategy for shipping

While the EU pushed for emission cuts of 70–100 per cent by 2050, the final global agreement settled for a target of “at least 50 per cent”.

Diesels in low-emission zones?

More than 90 per cent of Euro 6 diesel cars on sale today don’t meet the EU emission limits on the road but are still exempt from low-emission zones or diesel bans.

CO2 makes up 81 per cent of US greenhouse gases

The website of the US EPA presents an inventory of GHG emissions for 1990 to 2016, but web pages containing detailed climate analysis were removed one year ago.

Germany still constructing new coal power stations

Several countries in Europe, among them Germany, have recently built or are planning to build new coal power stations. Some examples of such plants are presented here.

Average CO2 level exceeds 410 ppm for first time

Since 1990, there has been a 40 per cent increase in total radiative forcing – the warming effect on our climate due to long-lived greenhouse gases.

1.5°C target still within reach

Scenarios show that the 1.5°C target can be reached without BECCS, through a massive expansion of renewable energy, improved energy efficency and lifestyle changes.

New low-emission zones in Sweden

On 4 April, the Swedish government announced that from 1 January 2020 municipalities will be able to introduce three different kinds of low-emission zones.

Myths about carbon storage – the Sleipner case

The risk of leaks that are difficult to detect and the thorough investigations required to find suitable sites are factors that limit the potential to scale up ongoing CO₂ storage projects.

Norweigan CCS hype moves from power to industrial processes

The government is unlikely to foot the bill. There are faster, cheaper ways to cut such emissions.

Decarbonisation of maritime shipping possible by 2035

In this issue

EU ship sulphur directive scrutinized

Editorial: Everyone's right to clean air

Wind and solar can be integrated into the grid

Renewables are rolling out rapidly

Limits to achieving “4 per 1000” target

Savings threat to a more sustainable agriculture

Eating healthily and sustainably

IMO adopts greenhouse gas strategy for shipping

Diesels in low-emission zones?

CO2 makes up 81 per cent of US greenhouse gases

Germany still constructing new coal power stations

Average CO2 level exceeds 410 ppm for first time

1.5°C target still within reach

New low-emission zones in Sweden

Myths about carbon storage – the Sleipner case

Norweigan CCS hype moves from power to industrial processes

In Breif

Wind and solar cheaper than coal

EU subsidises most-polluting farms

Nitrogen still pollutes European waters

Consultation on 7th EAP

Consultation on Ambient Air Quality Directives

Subsidy-free offshore wind farm

World’s biggest insurer moves away from coal

IMO agrees global high-sulphur fuel ban

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

Do Your Bit!