The Environmental Audit Committee has today published its report
on ‘Net zero and UK shipping'.
In March 2021, the Committee launched an inquiry into efforts to
decarbonise civil aviation and shipping, two of the UK's hardest
to abate industries. This inquiry resulted in two separate
reports, of which this is the second. The Committee's report on
net zero aviation is available here.
In its report, the Committee makes several recommendations: its
principal recommendation is that the Government should issue an
update to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan within three months of
State Opening of the 2024 Parliament.
Among the detailed recommendations made by the Committee are
proposals that the Government should:
- urgently assess the merits of introducing a voyage-based
measure of the UK's contribution to international shipping
emissions
- set stretching but achievable interim targets for UK domestic
and international shipping emissions, consistent with carbon
budget requirements and the overall 2050 net zero target
- send clear and unambiguous signals to the UK maritime sector
that it is committed to supporting its transition to net zero,
including reviewing the funding perspectives for decarbonisation
of UK shipping and further matching funding for research and
development to at least 2030.
- develop a strategy to support the manufacture of
zero-emission marine fuels, accompanied by a deliver plan with
clear production milestones, and consult on introducing a revenue
support mechanism to incentivise commercial production of
zero-emission marine fuels.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
