Page 17 - European Energy Innovation - Spring 2016 publication
P. 17
Spring 2016 European Energy Innovation 17
GREEN SHIPPING
How a market-driven approach can
instigate change towards green shipping
By Gesine Meissner, MEP (pictured)
The Climate Conference the complex nature of the global programme concluded that CO2-
in Paris was praised as an economy, this can only be achieved emissions from maritime transport
important step in tackling by developing a sector-by-sector related to the EU increased by 48 per
global warming - rightly approach. Domains of the economy - cent between 1990 and 2008.² To
so. The international community such as transport - need to be looked break it down even further: In terms of
has clearly voiced its determination at individually. Only then can progress sulphur dioxide the emissions of one
to reduce emissions with collective be measured and efficient strategies cruise- and container ships equate to
efforts. The final agreement can, be developed. those of several million cars.³
however, only serve as a starting
point. The real challenge starts from According to Eurostat, transport Another example: The transport of
here. And: I think it was a mistake that contributed almost one quarter of German manufactured cars to the US
shipping was left aside and needs to the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions produces five times more nitrogen
be taken into account. in 2013 - being the second largest oxide than the cars would during their
greenhouse gas emitter behind use. Taking into account the significant
Industries need to be restructured the energy sector.¹ The European increase in global trade, the current
on an unprecedented scale. Given Commission’s Climate Action number of about 4.000 container-ships
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