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Collab 4: IKI/IMO Blue Solutions for Reducing Maritime Transport Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions through Increased Energy Efficiency of Ship and Port Activities in East Asia Project Preparation Kick-Off Meeting

PUBLICATION DATE:

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

PUBLICATION TYPE:

Meeting Documents

STATUS:

Only Available Online

DESCRIPTION:

Maritime transport and its associated activities, including the operation of ships, ports, cargo handling equipment, and trucks are a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollutants emissions. Around 90% of the global trade is transported by sea and 60% of this trade volume passes through the seas and ports of Asia, with the South China Sea carrying an estimated one-third of global shipping. Heavy cargo vehicles account for less than 10% of all road vehicles but contribute more than 50% of the transport sector’s CO2 emissions in Asia. East and Southeast Asian countries play globally significant roles in maritime transport, supporting shipbuilding industries, containing the world’s busiest ports, and having high marine freight import and export levels. Based on trends showing increasing trade and therefore increased shipping demand, emissions from maritime transport (CH4, CO, CO2, NOx) may increase three to four-fold by 2050.

Countries in the East Asian region are already undertaking climate change mitigation actions, and have committed to such efforts in regional and international programs and agreements such as the ASEAN Transport Strategic Plan 2018-2025, PEMSEA’s Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), the Initial IMO GHG Strategy, the IMO Resolution on Cooperation between Shipping and Port Sectors on GHG emissions, as well as the UN SDGs, specifically SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 on Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

As countries continue to shift their maritime transport sector towards a low-carbon future, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) propose to assist them through the preparation of a five-year, EUR 15 million project entitled ‘Reducing Maritime Transport Emissions in East and Southeast Asian Countries’ (Blue Solutions).

This report provides the highlights of the kick-off meeting which was organized with the following objectives:

• to introduce the proposed project’s objectives, components, and project preparation team to the relevant stakeholders in the region;

• to lay the groundwork for the succeeding bilateral meetings with countries that will take place in the months of July-August 2021;

• to seek feedback, respond to questions, and generate expressions of support and interest for the project.

Just over 100 individuals participated in the event, coming from 10 countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) as well as a project team from IMO, PEMSEA, and representatives from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).