EU POLITICIANS READY TO ACT ON EMISSIONS

[proud_ionian]

source: MGN

DELEGATES at the 5th annual Green Ship Technology conference in Rotterdam last week were briefed the latest tide of ‘stick and carrot’ options under consideration by politicians for making shipping environmentally sustainable.

Eco-friendly solutions aired at the forum, organised by Lloyd’s List Events, ranged from legislative compulsion to commercially beneficial inducements. On the one hand, there were stark warnings that politicians are preparing to impose mandatory emissions rules if there is no firm outcome to meetings of the International Maritime Organization marine environment protection committee (MEPC) scheduled between now and mid-2009.

But delegates also heard how a voluntary shift to new technology and socially responsible policies could help shipping companies to safeguard not only the planet but also their own future through improved business potential, cost efficiencies and public image.

Hans Meijer, clean air policy officer in the European Commission transport department, stressed that the European Union would be ready next year to present proposals on air pollution and climate change caused by ships if no firm agreements emerged via the IMO.

He said: “The EU supports shipping because it’s cheap, reliable and reduces road traffic,” he pointed out, “but 50% of Europe’s air pollution will come from shipping by 2020 if nothing happens. Studies show that life expectancy in northern Europe could rise by 1.5 months in that time if we take real measures, which can be done more economically than land-based initiatives, but we need to act fast.”

Mr Meijer indicated that, while the EU broadly supported IMO efforts to reduce SOx, NOx and CO2 emissions, there were concerns at the scale of the task facing the MEPC. “There are three SOx options on the table, for instance, and a decision has to be taken this year or we will act ourselves,” he warned.

He added: “On CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, overall we are aiming for reductions of 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, so shipping has a large part to play. Even though it is performing a transport service for others, this is not a reason for exclusion.

He also issued a warning on CO2 emissions, saying: “The IMO has yet to decide whether CO2 measures will be mandatory or voluntary, when they will be implemented and whether this will require a new annex of MARPOL. This would take six or seven years, which would not be acceptable.” He suggested that a revision to the existing Annex VI would be quicker and establish a logical link with Copenhagen 2009, when a replacement for the Kyoto protocol is due to be signed with effect from 2012.

Meanwhile, he said, the EU was preparing its own mandatory policy options as a precaution. These included bringing shipping into emissions trading schemes, variable harbour dues based on greenhouse gas emissions and binding CO2 index limits for ships visiting EU ports.