Recently, the maritime and port industry presented their contribution to the climate change agenda at three levels: European, international, and national. The proposals include the identification of levers, obstacles, limits, actions, and future policy orientation. The national-level proposal was presented to the French government on May 24, preceded by weeks of collaborative work by various entities, including energy companies, naval shipyards, architects, and consulting firms. Now, the government must unite these disparate elements to implement a carbon reduction plan within the entire supply chain.
Until recently, long-term planning focused on GDP and abundance. However, the world is a physical system that requires energy and materials for production. Now, the ecological impact of CO2-emitting activities has turned into an urgent international problem, demanding policy changes that cut consumption and encourage resource sharing between sectors. These policy changes are required by the government to meet its energy objectives and planning process, according to the French Climate and Resilience Law.
The shipping industry is responsible for approximately 3% of worldwide CO2 emissions, contributing to 0.6% of emissions in France. While shipping’s tonne-to-kilometer emissions ratio is low, the growth of the industry could increase emissions 90-130% from 2008 levels by 2050 without action. However, decarbonizing maritime transport is challenging, as the industry lacks mature technologies that can effectively replace fossil fuels, making planning and funding for alternative solutions difficult.
The industry proposals identify roughly ten different scenarios to reduce carbon, and the range of options includes biofuels, hydrogen, electricity, and several others. None of them offer a one-stop solution. Multiple strategies are needed and should be tailored to factors such as the ship’s size, route, and function. A consensus among players within the industry highlights a mixed energy solution for maritime transport, replacing fossil fuels with a blend of alternative fuels and advanced optimization.
The French government’s energy objective is to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 according to the Paris Agreement target. While the International Maritime Organization’s target for reducing CO2 emissions from shipping is a 50% reduction by 2050, members are still divided on how to achieve this goal. European legislation is helping fill the void while making the path to carbon neutrality a reality for many sectors.
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