Page 39 - European Energy Innovation - Spring 2015 publication

ing 2015 European Energy Innovation 39

SHIPPING

Ship energy efficiency – why regulatory
action is needed to save energy and
fight climate change

By Jos Delbeke (pictured), Director-General of DG Climate Action, European Commission

Shipping is already the
most energy efficient
mode for most transport
needs. The size of
today’s ships creates economies
of scale that help provide the
same level of service with less
energy and emissions than
before. Nevertheless, shipping
is responsible for 2.5% of global
greenhouse gas emissions today,
and these emissions are growing.

The good news is that there is
significant potential to reduce
emissions from maritime
transport. Energy efficiency
measures and practices can bring
important fuel cost savings at low
or even negative costs.

These ‘low-hanging fruits’
make a compelling case
for action. According to the
second greenhouse gas study
of the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO), the UN body
in charge of maritime transport,
existing technologies represent
an emissions reduction potential
of up to 75%, with associated fuel
cost savings estimated at €60
billion per year by 2020.

MARKET BARRIERS PREVENT
COST-EFFECTIVE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY MEASURES
Why is this reduction potential
largely untapped today? Mainly
because of market barriers that
hamper the uptake of cost-
effective measures.

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