The UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has published its findings into net zero and the the shipping sector in its latest report.
The study, which was originally launched in March 2021, was undertaken as part of a greater inquiry into civil aviation and shipping, due to the challenges of both sectors in decarbonisation.
Previously, a report on net-zero aviation has been released, and the Committee has now delivered its findings into maritime, with a top line that the government needs to update its 2019 Clean Maritime Plan within three months of the new parliament.
According to recommendations from the Committee, the government needs to “urgently assess the merits of introducing a voyage-based measure of the UK’s contribution to international shipping emissions”.
In addition, it needs to set “stretching but achievable interim targets” for domestic and international shipping emissions, which are consistent with the carbon budgets and 2050 target.
It also has to “send clear and unambiguous signals to the UK maritime sector” that it is committed to supporting its transition to net zero, including reviewing funding perspectives for decarbonisation of UK shipping and further matching funding for research and development to at least 2030.
Finally, the EAC said it needed to “develop a strategy to support the manufacture of zero-emission marine fuels”, accompanied by a delivery plan with clear production milestones, and consult on introducing a revenue support mechanism to incentivise commercial production of zero-emission marine fuels.
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