Ship fuel tax will bring down the speed

A US$60 per tonne fuel tax could lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of up to 20 per cent, according to a new study led by James Corbett of the University of Delaware. A higher fuel tax of around US$150 per tonne could lead to an average speed-related CO2 reduction of up to 30 per cent.

A speed reduction mandate targeted to achieve 20-per-cent CO2 reduction in the container fleet is shown to cost between US$30 and 200 per tonne of CO2 abated, depending on how the fleet responds to a speed reduction mandate.

Source: The effectiveness and costs of speed reductions on emissions from international shipping. By James Corbett et al. Published in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 14, Issue 8, December 2009

Asian emissions increase ozone over North America

Increases in tropospheric ozone levels above western North America during springtime are due to eastward air flows across the Pacific Ocean, with the largest increases associated with air that comes from South and East Asia, according to a recent study.

Air quality benefits from climate policy

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help to avert dangerous climate change, but it will also bring other benefits, such as cuts in health-damaging air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

Rapid action to abate methane needed

Rapid reductions in emissions of methane and other short-lived greenhouse gases are needed to slow down global warming, especially in the Arctic region.

Ozone pollution could kill millions

Ozone pollution could cause hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of damage to human health and result in millions of premature deaths around the world by 2050.

Solar power from Sahara for fossil-free Europe

Solar electricity from the Sahara could supply Europe with 15 per cent of its electricity by 2050, at a price tag of 400 billion euros.

Supergrid paves the way for wind power expansion

A supergrid connecting Scandinavia and large parts of western Europe may pave the way for an even faster expansion of off-shore windpower.

IMO urged to take action on black carbon emissions

Three countries – Norway, Sweden and the United States – are asking the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to take action to reduce shipping emissions of black carbon (BC).

Copenhagen failure on aviation and shipping

The outcome of the Copenhagen summit proved extremely disappointing as regards international aviation and shipping emissions.

Greenhouse gas reductions will benefit human health

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will have major direct health benefits, especially in low-income countries.

New air quality standards in India

For the first time in 15 years India has revised its air quality standards. The new standards were notified by the environment ministry in November, and have lowered maximum limits for health damaging pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM10, and introduced new limits for pollutants left out earlier, including ozone, PM2.5, arsenic, nickel, benzene and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (as benzo(a)pyrene).

Great health benefits from new US air quality standards

New air quality standards announced by the EPA are estimated to yield health benefits in the USA of between 13 and 100 billion dollars.

Parliament debate on IPPC revision

The second reading debate on the proposed revision of the industrial pollution directive (IPPC) is about to take place.

New EU sulphur regulations in ports

From 1 January 2010, ships using ports within the EU are not allowed to use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1% while at berth. Moreover, marine gas oils with a sulphur content higher than 0.1% are not allowed to be marketed in any EU member state.

Review of the VOC paints directive underway

An EU consultancy report published in December recommends extending the 2004 directive on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and varnishes to other products such as hairsprays, solvent-based adhesives, window cleaning products and wood coatings.

Tough stance on air quality derogations

European Commission objects to vast majority of requests for more time to comply with EU air quality legislation.

Air pollution abatement - success and failures

The convention on long range air pollution has helped to clear the skies over Europe and North America over the last three decades - but a few countries are still notorious in failing to fulfil their committments.

Renewable energy can power the world by 2030

Renewable energy sources could produce all the energy the world needs in as little as 20 years from now and at a lower cost than the present energy mix, two American experts claim.

Cutting NOx emissions - the Norwegian way

Through an agreement between the Norwegian government and business organisations, a tax was transformed into a fund for investments - and emissions began to decrease rapidly.

Editorial: Clear the air

Everyone has the right to breathe clean air. In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) released revised guidelines for four outdoor air pollutants: particulate matter (PM), ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. For some pollutants, such as PM, no threshold value for harmful effects could be determined, and WHO therefore decided to set values, which if achieved, would be expected to result in significantly reduced rates of adverse health effects.

Recent publications

Reducing Transport GHG Emissions – Opportunities and Costs (2009)

Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biological Diversity (2009)

Green Ship Magazine

AMBIO: Special issue on ozone exposure and impacts on vegetation in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Progress in the modelling of critical thresholds, impacts to plant species diversity and ecosystem services in Europe (2010)

The Meatless

In a drive to halt climate change and improve public health, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney urges Europeans to abstain from eating meat at least once a week. Agriculture contributes 18 per cent of ..

Multi-pollutant scrubber does the job

On 8 February the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) issued a Statement of Fact on the performance of the CSNOx system showing reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide ..

EU expects to meet renewable target

The EU will meet its 20-per-cent renewable energy target for 2020, or slightly exceed it, according to an analysis by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

US cracks downon ship emissions

On 22 December 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule setting tough engine and fuel standards for large US-flagged ships. The new regulation ..

On-shore power increasing in Europe

Ships connecting to on-shore power at berth (thus avoiding the burning of marine fuel oil) in Europe will likely increase over the next 10 years, according a recent survey by ..

Fuel monitoring system could cut emissions

Danish shipowner J. Lauritzen announced in December that they have successfully tested a fuel analysis system onboard two bulk carriers for the past few years.

Baltic Sea NOx emissions on the rise

The Baltic Sea is one of the busiest seas in the world, accounting for 15 per cent of the world’s cargo. Cargo and container traffic is expected to triple and oil transportation is ..

Ship fuel tax will bring down the speed

A US$60 per tonne fuel tax could lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of up to 20 per cent, according to a new study led by James Corbett of the University of Delaware. A higher ..