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Globally, emissions from ships are a large and growing source of the greenhouse gases (mainly CO2) that are causing climate change. Emissions from shipping are currently some 1000 million tonnes annually, and in the absence of action they are expected to more than double by 2050. However, to limit global warming to 2°C, global emissions need to be reduced by at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The European Union is actively engaged in pursuing international agreement on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international maritime transport. Although considerable efforts are being made, primarily in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), progress towards the introduction of global market-based measures to reduce ship emissions effectively at minimum cost has so far been limited.
In 2011, the IMO adopted the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), which introduces minimum efficiency standards for certain types of new ship as from 2013. This constitutes an important milestone, but it will not lead to absolute emission reductions compared to a base year as existing ships and operational measures are not covered.
The European Union is actively engaged in pursuing international agreement on global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international maritime transport. Although considerable efforts are being made, primarily in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), progress towards the introduction of global market-based measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships effectively at minimum cost has so far been limited.
In line with the commitments of the 2009 Climate and Energy Package, the EU is taking action to include these emissions into the existing EU reduction commitment. The European Commission is currently considering possible European action in 2013 to introduce monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport as a first step towards measures to reduce these emissions.
European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II)
Under the Second European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II), a working group was established to allow for a formal technical stakeholder consultation. It aims at providing input to the Commission for its work to develop and assess options for the inclusion of international maritime transport in the EU's greenhouse gas reduction commitment.
High Level Platform (HLP)
In addition to the stakeholder consultation under the working group, the European Commission has established a High Level Platform to enable a strategic discussion directly with Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner Hedegaard. Three meetings took place in 2011.