An international project has been launched to support the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategy. GreenVoyage-2050 will initiate and promote global efforts to demonstrate and test technical solutions to this end.
GreenVoyage-2050 is a collaboration between IMO and the Government of Norway and will run for an initial two-year period. Over fifty countries are expected to participate, including developed countries and strategic partners from the private sector, who will contribute expertise and experience. The project will also build capacity in developing countries, including small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).
From Pilot to Champion
Initially, eight countries, from five high-priority regions (Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Latin America and Pacific), are expected to take pilot roles, to pursue and undertake actions at the national level. These pilot countries will then become "champions", and support other countries in their respective regions to follow a similar path.
Green Technology Uptake
Speaking at the official launch of GreenVoyage-2050 (Monday 13 May), IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the project was a direct response to the need to provide technical assistance to states and to support technology transfer. The project will also promote green technology uptake.
Mr Lim drew particular attention to the importance of private-sector participation in the project. 'This will accelerate the uptake of technology solutions by the industry,' he said.
Accelerate the IMO GHG Strategy
GreenVoyage-2050 will eventually be scaled-up vertically (more technology demonstration and infrastructure efforts) and horizontally (more pilot countries joining the project) through mobilising additional resources. The objective is to accelerate implementation of the initial IMO GHG strategy (reducing GHG emissions from shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008).
Partnerships with existing programmes (such as Norway's Green Shipping Programme) will be explored, with a view to drawing on their results to encourage the phasing in of zero and low-emission solutions for shipping in developing countries.
Funding
The Government of Norway is providing funding of approximately € 1.02 million for the initial two years, focusing on the initial eight pilot countries. Subject to government approval, Norway will commit to providing additional funding for 2020 and for the subsequent years of the project to achieve the overall goals. This will secure continuation of GreenVoyage-2050 at least until 2023 (when the revised IMO Strategy is expected to be adopted) and enable expansion of the project to include additional beneficiary countries.
Picture: IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim speaking at the official launch of GreenVoyage-2050 (courtesy of IMO).
