T&E welcomes inclusion of shipping emissions in EU's 2040 target
The inclusion of emissions from the "too often ignored" shipping sector into the European Union's (EU) 90% emission reduction target by 2040 is a "welcome step forward," Transport & Environment (T&E) says.
PHOTO: European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg, France. Getty Images
The European Commission (EC) proposed yesterday a target of reducing GHG emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.
This ambitious goal comes after the EU adopted measures last year to achieve a minimum 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, also relative to 1990 levels. Progressing from a 55% reduction by 2030 to a more ambitious 90% reduction by 2040 represents a significant stride towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Shipping’s inclusion in the scope of emissions reduction
The Commission believes that FuelEU Maritime will incentivise the uptake of low-emission marine fuels and green ships. It intends to assess the possibility of extending carbon pricing within the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to encompass smaller vessels under 5,000 gross tonnage by 2026, a category currently exempt from ETS regulations.
The Commission will arrange calls for proposals aimed specifically at the maritime sector through the Innovation Fund. This initiative seeks to facilitate the adoption of zero-emission marine fuels and energy-efficient technologies within maritime transportation.
It also intends to address barriers to the deployment of alternative low- and zero-emission fuels in maritime transport.
The Commission asserts that the maritime sector will be given priority access to fuels like e-fuels and advanced biofuels over other sectors that have alternative decarbonisation solutions available.
Environmental organization T&E acknowledged the Commission's efforts to regulate vessel emissions. They are urging the incoming commissioners, who will be elected in the June elections, to implement additional policies to ensure the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.
The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) has also praised the Commission’s proposal.
“It’s the first time we see such a strong commitment to give shipping priority access to low- and zero-emission fuels such as advanced biofuels and e-fuels,” ECSA’s secretary general Sotiris Raptis said.
By Tuhin Roy
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