The Integration of shipping in European emissions reduction targets

Newsfront Naftiliaki, November 06, 2015

Shipping people need to take a far more active role in the formulation of measures and solutions at European and international level when it comes to the challenge of cutting air emissions. This was the conclusion of a meeting organised by the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA) in collaboration with Greece’s Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN) in Piraeus, October 23.
Those attending the event were heavily behind the shipping industry’s need to contribute to the air emissions reduction objectives, saying it must do so in a pro-active way to help ensure measures and solutions are practical.
Under the general title: ‘The Integration of shipping in European emissions reduction targets’, the event was attended by members of the two associations and the maritime industry generally and has as its core objective the provision of information on the environmental objectives of the European Union (EU) and exchange views and thoughts on the shipping sector’s contribution in combating climate change.
Sotiris Raptis, policy officer of Brussels-based Transport & Environment (T & E), presented the EU goals on reducing carbon emissions and stressed that at this stage the measures envisaged concern the implementation of a measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) system and the efficiency standards of Imo for new ships entering the global fleet. Raptis said shipping should contribute to the objectives of Europe through quantified targets and referred to the proposal of developing a green fund that would be managed by the EU in cooperation with shipping associations.
He stressed that through the fund, the industry could improve its innovative character, since funding will be available to be invested in the r&d in the search for sustainable solutions and noted further developments are expected during the Climate Conference in Paris next month.
Attendees expressed various views and opinions in relation to the effectiveness of the European proposal, since decisions are taken at regional level, while the same issue is also discussed by Imo bodies. Also of concern is its practical application in relation to the available technological means for the monitoring and verification of emissions, and the operation of a green fund. Extensive discussion regarding the EU’s practice to precede decisions on issues which are simultaneously discussed in Imo, took place.