Government and industry’s joint commitment to find a global carbon solution

Media release
17 June 2008

Last night Ruth Kelly highlighted shipping’s green credentials and the need for the industry to carry on taking a lead in addressing climate change.

As part of events to mark the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 60th anniversary Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport, addressed the IMO where she mapped out the Government and industry’s joint commitment to producing a set of decisive measures to combat climate change.

Reaffirming the industry and Government’s joint pledge to find a global carbon solution, Rob Ashdown, Manager of Environment Affairs, Chamber of Shipping, said: “We welcome the Minister’s statement that the global level is the best place for tackling this international issue. The shipping industry remains fully committed to helping the IMO achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions from ships.

“A timeline has been agreed to develop proposals for tackling maritime CO2 emissions for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Copenhagen in 2009.

“Shipping is the most carbon efficient form of transport and is actively working on global solutions to deliver further reductions.

“The industry continues to look at proposals to improve the carbon efficiency of ships. A goal-based approach that allows all alternatives to be considered to reduce shipping’s environmental footprint will deliver this objective at the least cost to industry. Depending upon a ship’s trade these may include slowing down ships to maximise fuel efficiency to an optimum level, better weather routing, continuing design improvements and reducing port congestion. 

“The IMO continues to make significant strides forward in safety and security standards and the prevention of marine pollution of ships. It remains the undisputed forum to take the environmental debate forward to a positive worldwide conclusion.”

This week (16-20 June 2008) will see a number of major milestones in the history of IMO including the commemoration of 60 years since the adoption of the IMO Convention and 50 years since that Convention entered into force.

For further information please contact:
John Stevenson, Chamber of Shipping
020 7417 2833