Marking the start of the greenest London International Shipping
Week yet, the UK backs a world leading absolute zero target for
international shipping emissions by 2050, the Transport
Secretary has announced today (Monday 13th September).
This target, which would need to be agreed through the
International Maritime Organization, would be a significant
increase of ambition for the sector, which is currently
accountable for 3% of global emissions.
This announcement comes as the Government launches the greenest
ever London International Shipping Week, building on a string
of initiatives aimed at slashing emissions and establishing the
UK as international leaders in green maritime.
At a speech on Wednesday 15 September, the Transport Secretary
will announce the winners of the multimillion pound Clean
Maritime Demonstration Competition, focused on innovative green
maritime solutions, launched as part of the Prime Minister’s
Ten-Point plan for a green industrial revolution last November.
He is also expected to reassert the importance of building a
thriving maritime sector focused on innovation, highlighting
his ambition to have zero emission vessels entering into
commercial service by 2025 which opens the possibility for
cleaner and greener channel crossings in the next decade.
These initiatives follow on from commitments outlined in the
world-leading Transport Decarbonisation Plan to explore the
establishment of a UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions
(UK SHORE), a dedicated unit within the Department for
Transport focused on decarbonising the maritime sector.
Transport Secretary,
said:
“As a maritime nation with a rich history, and host of COP26
this year, we are proud to be at the forefront of the greener
era for maritime, charting an international course for the
future of clean shipping.
“I’m incredibly excited by the changes happening in this
sector, with the speed of progress highlighted by the
prospect of zero emission commercial vessels in UK waters in
the next few years and green Channel crossings within a
decade.
“Taking action now allows us to lead the charge on this
global shift, creating highly-skilled jobs for British
workers and shaping the landscape for what clean shipping and
trade will look like for future generations.”
As the greenest shipping week to date, the UK is focused on
working in collaboration with the sector to build a strong
sustainable future for UK maritime. As recently published in
the intergovernmental panel on climate change report, warming
is happening quicker than previously estimated, therefore
action is needed across all sectors and the UK will do all it
can to slash emissions from shipping.
Throughout the week Ministers and industry will be leading a
host of events taking stock of the sector’s progress:
Kicking off with a Ministerial roundtable at the Foreign Office
on Monday 13 September, leaders from across the sector will
discuss how to level up all parts of the UK with a focus on its
decarbonisation, coastal communities and port towns and
industries.
The Department will publish its Biennial Report on Tuesday,
outlining the strength of the sector, the next phase for its
recovery from the pandemic, and progress on our ambitious
Maritime 2050 strategy.
On Wednesday the Transport Secretary will announce the winners
of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, while the
Maritime Minister, will be at
Port of Southampton opening the newest cruise terminal which is
the greenest one yet.
Minister Courts is also set to take centre stage on Thursday
Evening at the coveted Gala Dinner in the iconic National
Maritime Museum in Greenwich, the heart of British maritime,
where he will outline the future for UK maritime and the
opportunities that exist as we build global trading networks.
The week will be rounded off with the Maritime Minister joining
Mersey Maritime at the end of the week for its annual Awards
event, where he will present the DfT Maritime 2050 Award –
celebrating industry action towards our shared Maritime 2050
ambitions.
