Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shipping
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 509
Published 29 May 2024
Recommendations
5
Accepted
We recommend that the Government continue to work at the IMO for adoption of effective...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government continue to work at the IMO for adoption of effective regulatory measures to implement the 2023 Strategy. In tandem with this, Ministers must press for a 2028 Greenhouse Gas Strategy which consolidates the ambition of …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to continue working with IMO Member States to champion ambitious GHG reduction regulatory measures, aiming for agreement by MEPC 2025 and implementation by 2027. They will also seek to increase the stringency of the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy when revised in 2028.
6
Accepted
Prompt and effective implementation of IMO conventions will be essential to the delivery of meaningful...
Recommendation
Prompt and effective implementation of IMO conventions will be essential to the delivery of meaningful reductions in shipping emissions in line with Paris goals and national net zero pathways. We therefore urge the UK to work with those flag States …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to work with other flag states through appropriate IMO mechanisms to maximise the implementation of GHG emission reduction measures. This includes supporting capacity building and technical cooperation at the IMO, and utilising the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
8
Accepted
Para 60
Assess merits of introducing voyage-based measure for UK's international shipping emissions contribution.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government urgently assess the merits of introducing a voyage- based measure of the UK’s contribution to international shipping emissions, so as to provide a sounder basis for developing policy on reducing that contribution. It is in …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating they have already developed a new maritime emissions model and will use it to review the methodology for UK national accounting. They also aim to legislate for the inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget at the earliest opportunity, subject to Parliamentary scheduling.
10
Accepted
Set stretching interim targets for UK domestic and international shipping emissions.
Recommendation
Net zero offers the UK an unrivalled opportunity to secure benefits for the UK maritime sector and the UK’s research and manufacturing base. It is now high time for Ministers to advance to the next stage of policy development by …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to publish a maritime decarbonisation strategy and actively considering options for stretching interim targets for UK domestic and international shipping emissions in 2030 and 2040.
14
Accepted
Para 136
Government's failure to commit to zero-emission marine fuel manufacturing facilities is disappointing.
Recommendation
As with low-carbon aviation fuel, the development of manufacturing capacity for zero-emission marine fuels is vital for the security of the UK’s maritime trade and for the establishment of green shipping corridors. It is disappointing that the Government says it …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the recommendation, explains the complexity of manufacturing low-carbon marine fuels, and outlines existing support through hydrogen projects, maritime clusters, and the £206m UK SHORE programme for innovation in zero-emission fuels.
30
Accepted
Press for global market-based measure for international shipping at IMO level by 2028
Recommendation
The Government must press for a global market-based measure for international shipping to be adopted and implemented at IMO level by the end of the current GHG Strategy period in 2028. To avoid ‘double counting’, any IMO measure ought to …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to champion the adoption of an international shipping levy at the IMO's 83rd MEPC in April 2025, to take effect in 2027, and will seek to avoid double counting with other GHG pricing schemes.
Conclusions (8)
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 45
The UK’s influence over and contribution to international shipping activity is considerable. We commend the UK Government on its contribution to date in securing a global strategy which is far more ambitious than that initially adopted by the IMO in 2018.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion and is actively working with IMO Member States to champion ambitious GHG reduction regulatory measures for international shipping. They will continue to build international consensus for agreements in 2025, implementation in 2027, and to increase the stringency of the IMO's 2023 GHG Strategy in 2028.
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 46
We nevertheless observe that the strategy adopted by the IMO does not currently align with a pathway consistent with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and that its ambition is limited to achieving net zero emissions “by or around” 2050.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the observation, committing to work with IMO member states to agree ambitious GHG reduction measures by MEPC 2025 for implementation in 2027, and to increase the stringency of the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy when revised in 2028.
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 47
The period to 2028 and the expected adoption of a further GHG Strategy will be a crucial one for international shipping emissions, as agreement is reached on regulatory measures to implement the 2023 Strategy and as IMO States seek consensus on further decarbonisation plans. The outcome of discussions at the …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion and is actively working with IMO Member States to agree and implement ambitious GHG reduction measures by MEPC 2025/2027. They will also seek to increase the stringency of the IMO's 2023 GHG Strategy in 2028.
7
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 59
The current method for allocating international shipping emissions between states appears unsustainable as a basis for making UK policy on international shipping emissions and determining the maximum emissions permissible from the UK’s international shipping in the Sixth Carbon Budget. The International Maritime 58 Net zero and UK shipping Organization has …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion and has developed a new maritime emissions model based on global vessel data to review and update the methodology for calculating UK shipping emissions. They aim to legislate for the inclusion of international shipping emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget.
24
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 178
It is regrettable that the Government has changed course on its policy on the provision of shore power to UK ports. In a period where grid connections are currently at a premium and demand for electricity supply is increasing, the delay in determining policy on how to provide power to …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion and is considering options for a call for evidence, alongside its domestic maritime decarbonisation plan, to understand existing clean energy infrastructure at ports and enable their decarbonisation, including timely grid connection upgrades.
26
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 186
The initial Clydebank Declaration, and the consolidation and development of initiatives for green shipping corridors since COP26, represent considerable progress in collaboration between governments, and between the Government and industry, in the practical measures required to make decarbonised shipping a reality. Ministers are to be commended for the initiative in …
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the commendation, detailing ongoing funding through the UK SHORE programme (£1.1m for feasibility studies, £80.4m for ZEVI) and bilateral partnerships to support the establishment of Green Corridors, demonstrating continued proactive work in this area.
27
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 187
The UK, as a leading proponent of this multilateral approach, is demonstrating how green corridors can be implemented on domestic, regional and intercontinental routes. We welcome the recent announcement of collaborations to establish green corridors between the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Ireland, and we look forward to further …
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the welcome, detailing ongoing funding through the UK SHORE programme (including £1.1m for feasibility studies and £80.4m for ZEVI) and established bilateral partnerships to support the development of Green Corridors, with further project winners to be announced soon.
31
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 204
The Clean Maritime Plan—the element of the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy focused on decarbonising shipping—was issued in its initial form in 2019. At the time of publication, it was envisaged that the Plan would be reviewed in 2022. The revision was later deferred to 2023: even on that timetable it …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion and commits to publishing the delayed maritime decarbonisation strategy shortly. It will provide a pathway to net zero with interim goals, policy interventions, a framework for support, and a timeline for delivery.