EXECUTIVE IN PROFILE DEBATE
Shipping all at sea when it comes to defining decarbonisation The industry has no agreed definitions for what net-zero vessels and decarbonisation actually mean
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hipping has no clear understanding of what decarbonisation means in real terms for the industry, a poll carried by this title suggests. Prompted by Greg Atkinson, the chief technical officer at Japan’s Eco Marine Power, the latest MarPoll, our quarterly survey, gave readers seven definitions of of the word ‘decarbonisation’, asking them for the one that best matches their understanding of what the term means and/or encompasses. The first four available responses were taken from the websites of a university, a major automaker, a research paper and a safety and standards board. The last three available responses were definitions Atkinson proposed. Atkinson’s argument made repeatedly in recent months has been to question how can targets be set for reducing emissions and achieving decarbonisation when terms such as
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decarbonisation and zero emissions ships are not clearly defined. For example what exactly is a zero emissions ship? Some would say it’s a vessel onboard which, propulsive power is provided by a solution that emits zero airborne emissions. But what about shore-based emissions? Could a zero emissions ship using electrical propulsion and batteries still be considered “zero emissions” if the batteries are recharged from electricity generated by a coal-fired power plant? If the ship uses alternative fuels (including biofuels) are land-based emissions that result from the production of these fuels taken into account? Can a ship be deemed to be zero emissions if CO2 emissions are offset by planting trees or via carbon sequestration? Yes? No? Maybe? Even the term “emissions” can mean different things. Does it mean all airborne emissions including for example lead emissions, or
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How can targets be set for reducing emissions and achieving decarbonisation when terms such as decarbonisation and zero emissions ships are not clearly defined
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greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or just CO2? What about discharges into the ocean? Are they not a concern? Regarding decarbonisation this is defined in many different ways ranging from simply meaning the reduction of CO2 emissions to vague statements about removing carbon from economies and societies. Therefore to gain some understanding of how people view decarbonisation Splash and Maritime CEO canvassed our readership. With more than 700 votes cast maritime ceo
