2021/10/26

Japan aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by 2050. Japan will propose to the IMO that this target should be set as a common level of ambition for the global shipping sector.

[Backgrounds]
CO2 emissions from international shipping account for about 2.1% of the global total (as of 2018), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is taking measures to reduce these emissions. In 2018, the IMO adapted “the INITIAL IMO STRATEGY ON REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS FROM SHIPS” including the following level of ambition and vision.

(1) To reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030;
(2) To reduce the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008; and
(3) To phase out GHG emissions as soon as possible in this century However, as the world needs to accelerate its efforts to tackle climate　change, international shipping is also expected to pursue further efforts to reduce and phase out GHG emissions in order to achieve the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.

[Net-zero GHG emissions by 2050]
On 26th October, Mr. Tetsuo Saito, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism expressed that “Japan aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050.” At the 77th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 77) to be held in November, Japan will jointly propose with Costa Rica, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom that this target should be set as a common level of ambition. Japanese government will also promote development and demonstration of zero-emission ships such as hydrogen-fueled ships or ammonia-fueled ships, which are essential to realize the target.