Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Integrating maritime transport emissions in the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction policies

The EU supports ambitious international action to address climate change. Multilateralism and broad based cooperation continue to be central for EU's climate policy. Consistent with this international narrative the EU has implemented policies to facilitate its own transition to a low carbon economy. The EU's 2008 Climate and Energy Package is arguably the most comprehensive regulatory framework globally. It comprises of different policy measures designed to facilitate the transition and has come to inspire action by our partner countries. Taking timely economy wide action remains a top priority of the EU in fighting climate change.

At the EU level, international maritime transport remains the only transport mode not included in the EU's GHG emissions reduction commitment. GHG emissions from shipping account today for 4% of the EU GHG emissions. At the same time, GHG emissions from shipping are expected to increase significantly in the future. According to the impact assessment accompanying this Communication, the CO2 emissions from maritime transport related to the EU, i.e. emissions related to intra-EU routes, incoming and outgoing voyages, increased by +48% between 1990 and 2008. In line with the growth projections of world trade, EU-related emissions from shipping are expected to increase further by 51% by 2050 compared to 2010-levels (+86% by 2050 compared to 1990-levels) despite the adoption of minimum ship efficiency standards for new ships by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2011.

Several recent studies have identified significant emission reduction potential for shipping through a range of technical and operational measures, which mainly aim to improve the energy efficiency of ships. With expected increase in future fuel prices, most of these technical or operational measures are cost-efficient. The impact assessment carried out in the context of this Communication identified progressively increasing savings potential in the cost of fuel that add cumulatively up to €56 billion between 2015 and 2030.

The EU has a strong preference for a global approach led by the IMO, as the most appropriate international forum to regulate emissions from shipping. Despite the slow pace of the IMO discussions to date and the urgency to act to prevent negative consequences for the climate, the EU will continue to engage in the international developments to reduce GHG emissions from ships. It will continuously monitor progress and consider future actions in the context of the UNFCCC agreement in 2015 and the deliberations at the IMO.

See also:
- Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013

ESO: Background information: Maritime transport: first step to reduce emissions http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-maritime-transport-first-step-to-reduce-emissions/

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