Statement from Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe

(UNITED NATIONS – September 23, 2019) Shipping companies, organizations and countries from across the maritime shipping industry today pledged at the UN Climate Action Summit to have zero-emissions ships operating along deep sea routes by 2030. Environmental Defense Fund helped shape the commitment as a knowledge partner in the coalition. The shipping industry produces 2.8% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions and those emissions are growing rapidly; the industry recently committed to at least halving them by mid century. EDF’s report Sailing on Solar helped make the case for policies that can meet the target and drive investment in clean alternative fuels, particularly in developing countries.

“Shipping has been slow to start on the journey to decarbonisation but today’s announcement shows that the pace of change is quickening, thanks to companies and countries working together to chart a path to zero emissions. The fourth propulsion revolution in shipping will attract investment and talent to the sector and help it to regain the moral green high ground.

“The challenge is now to craft policies at the UN’s International Maritime Organization that can commercialise zero emissions vessels and get them out on the water quickly. Because shipping visits all parts of the planet, the introduction of a carbon price would generate revenues for research, development and deployment of solutions, and have a positive impact across the globe.”

• Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe

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