The UK Chamber has responded to the publication of the Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) Report on Net Zero and UK Shipping, echoing calls by the Chair of the EAC, Toby Perkins MP, for the Government to release their decarbonisation strategy without delay.

The EAC yesterday (13 February) published the Government’s response to its predecessor Committee’s report on ‘Net zero and UK shipping’.

Alongside the response the Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, has written to the Transport Secretary. Calling for clarity from Government on the publication of the successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan, and warning that continued delays may put at risk the UK’s leadership on maritime decarbonisation.

Commenting on the Government’s response, Peter Aylott, Director of Policy said;

‘’We welcome the Government’s response and the EAC’s continued focus on the pathway to Net Zero for UK Shipping. We are proud to have led the way in calling on decarbonisation, and the UK Chamber was the first national shipping association to publicly call for the global shipping industry to reach net zero emissions by 2050, prior to the UK Government and IMO Commitments.’’

‘’We echo the Committee Chair’s calls for clarity from Government on their strategic direction towards a Net Zero future for the UK domestic and international shipping sectors, and will continue to work with Government to deliver our shared goal of a green, thriving UK Shipping sector. Key to this, we look forward to the publication of the Government’s maritime decarbonisation strategy, as a much-needed successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan.’’

‘’Alongside a decarbonisation strategy, placing the net zero shipping at the heart of considerations in the upcoming Spending Review, will be essential in securing the green transition, and ensuring that the UK maritime sector does not fall behind in reducing emissions. This should include a focus on investing in sustainable fuels, in parallel with other sectors such as aviation, and infrastructure investment in the grid, to ensure adequate capacity for shore power.’’

‘’It is vital to provide the industry and investors with confidence to aid the sector in its drive to reach net zero. To achieve this, we need a multi-year plan, which creates a framework for public and private sector collaboration and a pathway for emissions reduction. With the right support, the UK could become a leading hub for green innovation and technology, creating increased opportunities for growth and employment within a green fuels supply chain.’’

On the recommendations regarding international efforts to reduce maritime emissions led by the IMO, he added;

‘’We welcome the focus from the Committee on the international nature of the shipping industry and support the Government engagement in shaping the global agenda at the IMO.’’

‘’As the IMO develops economic and technical measures for international shipping , the global primacy of these measures must be recognised, ensuring a clear and harmonised regulatory environment that supports both UK and global decarbonisation efforts.’’

Source: UK Chamber of Shipping