Wealden MP Nus Ghani has secured a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from international shipping, in her role as the Minister for Shipping in the Department for Transport.
In negotiations with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nus along with her Maritime team played a leading role in pushing for an ambitious and credible outcome that would enable shipping to play its part in meeting the Paris Agreement temperature goals.
The agreement includes:
• A commitment to phase out GHGs from international shipping as soon as possible during this century
• A target of at least 50% reduction, and an aim for 100% reduction, in total GHG emissions from shipping by 2050
• A target of at least a 40% improvement in carbon intensity of ships by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% in 2050
• A list of possible short-, mid- and long term emission reduction measures with a commitment to develop a work-plan for implementation to deliver emission reductions before 2023.
The strategy is a major milestone for the shipping industry, which is now the first global sector to have set an absolute emissions reduction target.
Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, said: “I am delighted to have worked with the IMO to achieve this historic agreement across 170 countries, delivering a significant commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.
"Shipping carries 80 per cent of global trade. The agreement to halve emissions by 2050 is a huge step in the right direction.
“Protecting our environment is one of the most important issues I am contacted about by people across Wealden and East Sussex, and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions will go a long way to ensuring we pass on a clean environment to our children.
“I have enjoyed visiting our fantastic ports across the country and shipping hubs in Sussex, including Newhaven Port and Shoreham Harbour, and seeing first hand the importance of the maritime industry to our economy.
“This historic agreement will help our important and thriving shipping sector continue to play its environmental role, and we in the UK can be proud to have played a leading role in securing a global agreement on tackling greenhouse gas emissions.
“It’s fantastic news that we are at the forefront of a coalition of ambitious countries around the world, working together with the IMO to help clean up our environment”.
