The Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization has been developed by a multi-stakeholder taskforce convened by the Getting to Zero Coalition – a partnership between the Global Maritime Forum, the World Economic Forum and Friends of Ocean Action. The Call to Action is backed by more than 200 industry leaders and organizations representing the entire maritime value chain and sends the clear message that a full decarbonization of international shipping is both urgent and achievable. It calls on governments to work together with the shipping industry to deliver the policies and investments needed to reach critical tipping points in decarbonizing global supply chains and the global economy.
“With the Call to Action, leaders from across the maritime value chain send a strong signal to governments meeting in Glasgow next week that it’s time to raise ambitions and commit to fully decarbonize international shipping by 2050. If governments want to be climate heroes at COP26, they must also be climate heroes at the International Maritime Organization, where urgent action is needed to put international shipping on a just and equitable Paris-aligned pathway”, says Johannah Christensen, Chief Executive Officer, Global Maritime Forum.
The Call to Action demonstrates that there is broad industry support for the decarbonization of shipping and shows the many actions and commitments that are already being made by companies, while specifying what is needed from Governments to fully decarbonize the sector by 2050.
Specifically, signatories call on government to:
Commit to decarbonizing international shipping by 2050
Support industrial scale zero emission shipping projects through national action
Deliver policy measures that will make zero emission shipping the default choice by 2030
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow taking place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 is hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy and will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“COP26 is a unique opportunity to accelerate global efforts to address climate change. All industries must be part of the journey towards reaching net-zero emissions and keeping the Paris temperature goals within reach. As COP President, I welcome the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization and its clear message that leaders from across the maritime industry are ready to work with governments to fully decarbonize international shipping by 2050,” says Alok Sharma, COP26 President.