INTRODUCTION
Ships are a significant and growing source of GHG emissions. They currently represent 2.7 percent of global CO2 emissions (870 million metric tons), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) projects the emissions will rise between 120 and 210 percent by 2050. This makes current shipping emissions approximately equivalent to the emissions of Germany. The GHG emissions are primarily carbon dioxide, but also include nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), though in very small quantities relative to CO2.
The IMO has recently advanced towards regulating GHG emissions. In 2011, it issued standards for energy efficiency for new and modified ships, which directly impact their GHG emissions. The standards mandate a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption and thus greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, and the IMO expects this will reduce emissions from ships by 180-240 million metric tons annually by 2020. IMO has also proposed voluntary measures to improve the energy efficiency of existing ships through better operations8 and is in the process now of figuring out mandatory emissions regulations for existing ships, the status of which we review below.
See full Article.
Monday, August 06, 2012
Sink or Swim: The Economic Impacts of an International Maritime Emissions System for Greenhouse Gases on the United States
INTRODUCTION
Ships are a significant and growing source of GHG emissions. They currently represent 2.7 percent of global CO2 emissions (870 million metric tons), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) projects the emissions will rise between 120 and 210 percent by 2050. This makes current shipping emissions approximately equivalent to the emissions of Germany. The GHG emissions are primarily carbon dioxide, but also include nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), though in very small quantities relative to CO2.
The IMO has recently advanced towards regulating GHG emissions. In 2011, it issued standards for energy efficiency for new and modified ships, which directly impact their GHG emissions. The standards mandate a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption and thus greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, and the IMO expects this will reduce emissions from ships by 180-240 million metric tons annually by 2020. IMO has also proposed voluntary measures to improve the energy efficiency of existing ships through better operations8 and is in the process now of figuring out mandatory emissions regulations for existing ships, the status of which we review below.
See full Article.
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