Impact - Knowledge

According to the latest available data, the world is facing an unprecedented environmental challenge. The consequences of this crisis are becoming increasingly evident, with rising global temperatures leading to a myriad of alarming impacts. Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant threats to communities and ecosystems worldwide.

The climate crisis has far-reaching socio-economic implications, affecting vulnerable populations disproportionately and exacerbating existing inequalities. As temperatures continue to rise, access to clean water, food security, and human health become increasingly at risk.

The climate crisis is intricately interlocked with various other critical systems, most notably biodiversity loss. As global temperatures rise, ecosystems undergo significant transformations, leading to habitat destruction, altered migration patterns, and increased stress on various species. Recognising and addressing the interconnectedness of climate change and biodiversity loss is essential for crafting comprehensive solutions that safeguard both our environment and the countless species that call it home.

In response to this crisis, there is a growing global awareness of the need for urgent action. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, brought nations together to set ambitious targets for limiting global temperature rise and enhancing climate resilience. However, achieving these goals requires collective efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals to rapidly transition towards low-carbon and sustainable practices.

The shipping industry plays a significant role in contributing to the climate crisis through its substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Large cargo ships and vessels, powered predominantly by fossil fuels, release massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions not only worsen global warming but also lead to air pollution and environmental degradation. Addressing this issue is crucial for mitigating the industry's impact on climate change and safeguarding the health of the planet.

In response to the urgent need to decarbonise, the shipping industry has been making strides towards more sustainable practices. Industry initiatives, strategic partnerships, working groups as well as political action and regulations are emerging. This includes the transformation towards green fuels like methanol and ammonia, the growing ambitions to optimise ship designs to improve energy efficiency, and investing in renewable energy solutions for onboard operations. Moreover, international actors like the IMO and the EU are implementing international regulations and policies that guide emission reduction targets and support the implementation of cleaner technologies.

Immediate emissions reduction is of utmost importance to combat the climate crisis and its devastating effects. By implementing short-term actions to reduce emissions in the shipping industry, we can quickly make a positive impact on global carbon output. This includes optimising ship routes, improving maintenance practices, and encouraging slow steaming to reduce fuel consumption. Operational efficiency can not only reduce up to 20 per cent of emissions in shipping and thus contribute to climate change mitigation but also set a strong foundation for more ambitious and comprehensive long-term strategies.