A new report from marine NGO Seas At Risk warns that all targets will be missed unless the industry embraces transformative change.
The “One Planet Shipping” report emphasises that drastic changes are essential if the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is to meet its decarbonisation goals of 30% by 2030, 80% by 2040, and complete decarbonisation before 2050.
Fynn Sterritt, an Olympic sailor, highlights the urgency: “As an Olympian who spends much of his life on the sea, I witness first-hand the problems of ocean pollution and disruption to the climate caused by global warming… We urgently need a new vision for ‘one planet shipping’… This report offers vital fresh thinking for us to set sail on that journey.”
The authors write the objective of the report is to ‘encourage a new set of stories about shipping that will help all stakeholders to discuss more easily what a future sustainable maritime industry might look like. We will propose a set of narratives that can be used to shape thinking about the future in a positive way.’
The report advocates for a “one planet” approach, tackling emissions and addressing the shipping industry’s broader impacts on workers, vulnerable communities, and ocean health. The transition to greener energy and efficient technologies requires support from local and regional governments. Modernising port operations to handle new fuels and accommodate cleaner vessels is key to minimizing environmental impact while boosting regional economies.
The 39 page report also stresses the importance of smaller ships and compact ports closer to end destinations, which can revitalize coastal communities and reduce environmental harm.
Sian Prior, Shipping Policy Director at Seas At Risk, said: “As we adapt to combat climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, shipping, ports, and international trade must evolve too… This new report underscores the importance of maritime and port governance… to protect the ocean and promote well-being economies that benefit people and the planet alike.”