An uncertain immediate future for Government support for net zero
shipping, combined with continued delays to an updated maritime
decarbonisation strategy, could put at risk the UK's leadership
in cleaning up international shipping, the Environmental Audit
Committee warns.
EAC publishes today the Government response to its predecessor
Committee's report on ‘Net zero and UK shipping'. While the
Committee welcomed the generally positive tone taken by
Government in responding to the report's recommendations,
Ministers have declined to state when the long–awaited revision
of the Clean Maritime Plan of 2019 would be issued. It is also
apparent from the response that future Government investment in
the development of net zero shipping in the UK is dependent on
the outcome of the upcoming spending review.
Within the response, the Transport Secretary confirms that the
Government will work with the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) to champion the adoption and implementation of ambitious
greenhouse gas reduction measures, and will work to make the
IMO's current greenhouse gas strategy from 2023 more stringent
when it is revised in 2028.
Yet the Committee argues that these efforts will be undermined
without a clear and consistent policy on how the UK intends to
contribute domestically to decarbonising emissions from domestic
and international UK shipping and from shipping using UK ports.
In a letter to the Transport Secretary which is published
alongside the report, Committee Chair MP echoes the messages in the
original report which stressed the need for clear messaging from
Government to the sector on decarbonisation initiatives, and
calls for clarity on future funding for research and development
of clean fuels and technology solutions.
Environmental Audit Committee Chair, MP, said:
“There appear to be more questions than answers on the
Government's approach to decarbonising the shipping industry.
Globally, shipping on its own is responsible for 2% of the
planet's emissions.
“I warmly welcome the leadership role the UK Government continues
to take on the decarbonisation agenda at the IMO, but this must
be backed up with a clear and ambitious strategy domestically. It
is for this reason that it is disappointing that we still do not
have a date for when the Clean Maritime Plan will be published.
“The reasons for a stark disparity between Government support for
decarbonisation measures in the aviation and the shipping sector
remain unclear. The Transport Secretary did not offer information
on the long-term future of Government support for net zero
shipping measures. We look to the refreshed Clean Maritime Plan
and the outcome of the upcoming Spending Review for indications
as to the path the Government plans to chart to a net zero future
for the UK domestic and international shipping sectors.
“The Committee continues to be frustrated by the lack of clarity
as to when legislation will be introduced to include
international aviation and shipping emissions in the Sixth and
subsequent carbon budgets. I urge Ministers to offer an ironclad
commitment as to when this critically important legislation will
be laid before the House for approval.”
