ABSTRACT
The world faces an “existential threat” in climate change – as acknowledged by judges in both the UK and the US. Maritime transport is the most efficient way of shipping goods – better than by truck, rail or air. It is responsible for moving more than 80% of traded goods. A report by the International Council on Clean Transport in 2017 summarises the substantial, and increasing, contribution of international shipping to the emission of greenhouse gases. However, along with international aviation, international shipping is covered by either the 1997 Kyoto Protocol or the 2015 Paris Agreement. A major problem with international shipping is that it is international and multi-faceted in its diversity of actors. The intersessional working group session will further consider candidate short-term measures, including concrete proposals to improve the operational energy efficiency of existing ships. The impact of the category of measures had the least effect of reduction as against business as usual.
