Is It Possible To Achieve Zero- Carbon Emissions In The Shipping Industry?

Shipping Industry must play an active part in building a more sustainable future as people’s awareness of sustainability issues grows. On a yearly basis at a global level, the shipping sector is responsible for roughly 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, as 90% of world trade is carried by ships, efforts are being made by both corporate and public stakeholders to figure out how to make the flow of products more sustainable.

Instantaneous modifications will be needed in all worldwide infrastructure in order to attain net-zero emissions, from how we run our economy to how we transport people and products around the world. It is possible to achieve zero-carbon emissions in the shipping industry, but it will require significant changes to the industry’s operations and infrastructure. The shipping industry is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, with estimates suggesting it is responsible for around 3% of global CO2 emissions.
To achieve zero-carbon emissions, the industry will need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen. This will likely require a combination of different technologies and approaches, including the use of battery-powered electric ships, hybrid electric ships, and the development of new renewable fuels such as green hydrogen or ammonia. In addition to changes in propulsion technology, there will also need to be changes in the design of ships, the way they are operated, and the infrastructure supporting them. For example, ships may need to be designed with improved energy efficiency, and there may need to be changes in the way ports and shipping lanes are managed to optimize shipping routes and reduce energy consumption.
While achieving zero-carbon emissions in the shipping industry will be a significant challenge, there are already initiatives underway to make progress towards this goal. For example, the International Maritime Organization has set a target of reducing shipping emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, and a number of shipping companies and governments have announced plans to invest in zero-carbon technologies and infrastructure.
In order to achieve zero- carbon emission globally by 2050, 98% to 100% of electricity must come from zero-carbon sources in order to stay inside 1.5 degrees Celsius. To cut emissions from transportation, energy efficiency and fuel-switching policies are essential. Biofuels produced from sustainable sources such as waste or algae could also help to reduce emissions from transport. However, their use should be carefully managed to ensure that they do not compete with food production or cause environmental damage.

Change needs to be steered in a different path when it becomes stagnant or is headed in the wrong way. For instance, efforts to completely phase out coal are still well behind schedule and must do so six times faster by 2030. With planning, should come strict implementation of ideas and policies, developed to achieve a more sustainable and a safe world to live in. We must keep track of our progress in the right direction and use this as a cue to improve cooperation, pick up the pace and convert words into actions.