Energy Transition Handbook - Flipbook - Page 41
Energy Transition Handbook 2021
41
Maritime
Rail
The most recent study by the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) estimates that
international shipping represented 2.2% of
global CO2 emissions in 2012. If no further
action is taken, then the IMO suggest that the
CO2 emissions from international shipping could
grow by between 50% and 250% by 2050, and
a study for the European Parliament suggests
that international shipping could account for
17% of global CO2 emissions by 2050. This is
why the IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy states that
international shipping’s total GHG emissions
must be reduced by at least 50% by 2050.
Rail is a relatively low-carbon form of transport
and is one of the most efficient ways of moving
high volumes of people and goods. New trains
generate fewer emissions and increasingly
electrification combined with the decarbonisation
of domestic electricity generation is helping to
support emissions reductions. There is also “low
hanging fruit” in diverting existing road and
aviation transport to rail and inland waterways.
Decarbonisation in the maritime transportation
sector poses a major challenge that will require
a revolutionary shift to alternative renewable
fuels. Regulatory uncertainty is viewed as one
of the biggest potential barriers to shipping’s
decarbonisation in the next 10 years. Zero- carbon
fuels and vessels are not yet a reality, and their
competitiveness with fossil fuels and vessels
remains unclear. Although environmental
regulation could help the industry overcome
these barriers, there is uncertainty as to which
measures can be agreed on and in what timeframe.
Many believe that slow-steaming is the most
effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from ships in the short-term, but it is hardly an
emissions wonder cure. Although slow-steaming
significantly reduces fuel consumption, the longer
journey times lead to higher operating costs that
come with operating more ships at any given time.
The UK government has determined that the
main way to achieve rail freight decarbonisation
is to stop using diesel traction, through direct
government intervention to roll out further
electrification. It has concluded that current
alternatives to overhead electrification, such
as hydrogen and battery, do not have sufficient
power to pull heavy freight trains although there is
potential for bi-modes to reduce emissions.