Not only aviation and the land transport sector, but also shipping must drastically reduce CO2 emissions. If it were up to the European Parliament, the maritime transport sector would have to produce at least 2030 percent less emissions every year by XNUMX. In this way the Paris climate goals will be achieved, say the MEPs. There will also be a special 'Ocean Fund' to make ships more energy efficient and to invest in new technologies.
The European Parliament recently met in Brussels to discuss the shipping situation. Despite the wishes of the European Commission, this sector is still far from green enough, which means it is lagging behind other transport sectors. In this way, the Commission wants to tighten climate guidelines for the maritime transport sector. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is required to report on progress in making the sector greener, but according to parliamentarians, it is still insufficiently fulfilling its agreements.
The IMO is currently working on a global and ambitious agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, but according to certain MEPs, this is not going fast enough. They therefore ask the Commission to investigate the integrity of the IMO measures, such as achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. An international treaty on greenhouse gas emissions from shipping is urgently needed, say Members of the European Parliament. From now on, large maritime shipping will also pay European emission allowances money that must be paid to the EU in the event of too much greenhouse emissions, according to the European Parliament. The large maritime shipping was the only one that did not yet. In any case, CO2 emissions for all ships must be reduced by 2030 percent per year. This goal must be achieved by XNUMX.
The Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout (GroenLinks) is satisfied with the results achieved, but also calls for more action. 'In the Green Deal, the European Commission has already indicated that the European ETS should also apply to international shipping, without going into when and how. A lot of precious time is lost before such a thing has gone through the entire legislative process. The European Parliament is therefore filling it in now and we are saving a lot of time. It is time for decisiveness, shipping emissions are getting out of hand '.
In addition, Members of the European Parliament want a special 'Ocean Fund'. This must be funded from the proceeds of issue auctions. The intention is that from 2023 to 2030 money can be drawn from this pot to make shipping more energy efficient and to invest in new technology. The fund must also allocate money for alternative fuels and green seaports. At least XNUMX percent of the fund's revenues should be used to protect, restore and manage marine ecosystems affected by global warming, such as coral.
An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted in favor of the measures on Thursday. 'Today we are sending a strong signal in accordance with the Green Deal and the climate emergency. Monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions is important, but statistics alone do not save a gram of greenhouse gas! ' said rapporteur and MEP Jutta Paulus (Greens) from Germany.
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