WEBINAR - Decarbonization of International Shipping - Global and Regional Perspectives on Achieving Reduction Targets

Despite the massive global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, there is no doubt that the international community needs to continue its path of implementing the "Paris Accord", an agreement negotiated and adopted within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2016. The "Paris Accord" addresses greenhouse-gas-emission (GHG) mitigation measures, adaptation, and financial matters. For many years, related technical efforts have been continuously at the forefront of negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which seeks to contribute efficiently to global climate mitigation measures. As one of the more important recent steps, the IMO adopted its initial GHG Strategy in 2018. This strategy seeks to establish levels of ambition that are subject to ongoing reviews by the IMO. The ambition levels consider potential improvements on vessel design and operational performance as well as the immediate need to introduce low/zero carbon fuels.

The IMO's GHG Strategy has also introduced a list of short-term, mid-term and long-term measures to support the IMO's ambition levels. Short-term measures include the evaluation and improvement of vessels energy efficiency requirement (EEDI, SEEMP regulations), the application of technical efficiency measures for existing ships (EEXI regulations) and the introduction and regulation of carbon intensity (CII) for ships in operation. Mid-term and long-term measures include developing an implementation program for alternative low/zero carbon fuels, adoption of other possible innovations in emission reduction mechanism(s) and market-based measures (MBMs) to incentivize GHG emission reduction.

The webinar will introduce the latest development of short-term measures as agreed under the auspices of the IMO. However, the real focus shall rather be set on the mid-term and long term GHG mitigation measures which are not yet agreed. When it comes to those measures, we can observe a number of different regional views on the level of GHG reduction ambition and how certain GHG reduction targets should be achieved. The webinar will discuss the background and reasons for these differing views and will try to give an outlook for 2021.

MODERATOR:
Prof. Aykut I. Ölcer, Director of Research, Nippon Foundation Professorial Chair in Marine Technology and Innovation, Head, Maritime Energy Management, World Maritime University

PANELISTS:
Dr. Henning Jessen, Associate Professor, Maritime Law & Policy, World Maritime University
Dr. Anish Hebbar, Assistant Professor, Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration, World Maritime University

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The webinar is open to anyone who wishes to register, as long as space is available. Register here.