Ship emissions deal in force

The revised Annex VI, which contains regulations to prevent air pollution from ships, of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) entered into force globally on 1 July 2010.

As from this date, the fuel sulphur limit for ships operating in designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) is lowered from 1.50 per cent to 1.00 per cent. A further reduction to 0.10 per cent will take effect from 1 January 2015. The regulation allows for ships to use alternative methods to reduce emissions to an equivalent level.

The revised Annex VI allows for Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to be designated for sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), or nitrogen oxides (NOx), or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a party or parties to the Annex. Such proposals will be considered for adoption by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships.

Two existing SOx-ECAs, namely the Baltic Sea and the North Sea (including the English Channel), are already listed in the revised Annex. A new North American ECA for SOx, PM and NOx was adopted by IMO in March 2010. The regulations to implement this ECA are expected to enter into force in August 2011, with the ECA becoming effective from August 2012.

As from 1 January 2012, the global fuel sulphur cap is reduced from the current 4.50 per cent to 3.50 per cent. This global limit is further lowered to 0.50 per cent from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed not later than 2018.

Progressive reductions in NOx emissions from new-built marine engines are now also coming into force, with the most stringent controls on so-called Tier III engines. This emission standard will apply to new engines installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016 when operating in NOx-ECAs.

The revision of MARPOL Annex VI was formally adopted by the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in October 2008. So far, it has been ratified by 59 countries, representing more than 84 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping fleet.

Source: IMO press briefing, 30 June 2010.

In this issue

Air pollutant emissions to exceed limits

Only one in two member states expect to comply with their emission limits for all four air pollutants set by the EU national emission ceilings directive.

Free ride for company cars

The under-taxation of company cars in the EU increases annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from cars by between four and eight per cent, or between 21 and 43 million tonnes, a new study has found. The study also found that this under-taxation results in between eight and 21 million more cars on European roads.

Emission ceilings may be further postponed

The EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik is seeking to delay until 2013 the already long-overdue revision of the National Emissions Ceilings Directive.

Pollutant emissions fall

While air pollutant emissions from land-based sources in Europe continue to fall slightly, some reductions are countered by rising emissions from international shipping.

Agreement on Industrial Emissions Directive

Many years in the work, agreement has been reached on the new Industrial Emissions Directive, replacing seven existing directives and tightening standards – but not by enough.

New emission ceilings for 2020 underway

A new study shows significant scope for additional air pollutant reductions in Europe, along with the accompanying health and environmental improvements.

CAN supports 1.5°

The Climate Action Network (CAN), a worldwide network of over 450 nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), decided in August to adopt a new climate policy target.

1.5° is tough, but doable

A new report underscores that while a climate target of 1.5°C is difficult and filled with uncertainties, it remains feasible and achievable with the right level of ambition.

CCS in Europe: doomed

Reuters reports that a new study warns that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology might barely get past the testing phase in Europe as the economic crisis and a shift to green power destroys incentives.

CCS in Germany: emotional

A new draft CCS law in Germany has done little to resolve the ongoing conflict over the issue.

CCS in Norway: postponed

CCS has been delayed for another four years, in an admission it is far from "off-the-shelf".

Renewables industry says – we can power the EU!

A new report by the European Renewable Energy Council provides hope of a more coordinated industry low-carbon lobby – and shows how to do 100 per cent renewables by 2050.

Europe's worst polluters: much work to do

Despite some required improvements, Europe's dirtiest power plants still emit vast amounts of air pollutants. The "Dirty Dozen" are still big, and still dirty.

High benefits of ship fuel action

Implementing internationally agreed stricter ship fuel sulphur standards may save 26,000 lives per year and provide economic benefits to health worth up to 26 times the costs.

The high costs of inaction

Publication of a long-awaited EU proposal to tighten national emission ceilings (NEC) for air pollutants may yet again be delayed by the Commission.

Main menu

Ship emissions deal in force

In this issue

Air pollutant emissions to exceed limits

Free ride for company cars

Emission ceilings may be further postponed

Pollutant emissions fall

Agreement on Industrial Emissions Directive

New emission ceilings for 2020 underway

CAN supports 1.5°

1.5° is tough, but doable

CCS in Europe: doomed

CCS in Germany: emotional

CCS in Norway: postponed

Renewables industry says – we can power the EU!

Europe's worst polluters: much work to do

High benefits of ship fuel action

The high costs of inaction

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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