Shipping and Green House Gases

Today, the shipping industry is responsible for nine-tenths of the delivery of all goods. And surprisingly, the carbon emissions from ships sailing across our oceans in a year are equivalent to the entire carbon emissions of Germany. Yet, the industry has no intention of trying to reduce its emissions to a net zero. 

Is The World Moving Towards Zero-Emission Goals and Greenhouse Gas Removal?

This issue was taken up at a UN summit this month. To achieve a new zero-emission, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted must be matched by the amount of greenhouse emissions being actively taken out of the atmosphere.  

The UN Council wants net-zero emissions to be obtained, and the only way to attain this goal is for it to happen by 2050 and for emissions to be halved by 2030. A solution to make the industry greener has been very difficult to find as 90% of goods travel by ship. 

Experts have warned that if a solution to reducing the emissions is not found fast the emissions can increase by 50% this century. This week, under the control of the UN's International Maritime, delegates from 175 shipping countries will meet in London and try to agree on a new timeline for completely decarbonizing (removing all the carbon emissions) their industry.  

The world's second-largest container shipping line, Maersk, is taking a bullish approach, setting its own goal of zero emissions by 2040. Many countries and shipping firms also have agreed to push their plans for making transportation greener, and if this goal pulls through, it can have a huge impact on climate change.