Page 56: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2020)

Opinon: The Final Word

COVID-19, Climate Change &

Changing the World, Together

Our planet is facing its greatest challenge, and it’s not coronavirus.

Asbjørn Halsebakke ponders how greater political action could help the maritime industry meet its most ambitious environmental goals.

hy hasn’t the climate way, by this crisis. Work is underway. The IMO has set the crisis elicited the same But it does beg the question, why can’t ambitious, yet crucial, target of reduc- urgent response from governments and the international com- ing GHG emissions by 50% (compared global governments as munity respond to the issue of climate to 2008 levels) by 2050, with the overall

W the corona pandemic? change with a similar level of commit- aim of eliminating them entirely. This is

When confronted with ment? This is the world’s number one to be applauded, but it also needs to be the terrible threat of viral spread, national emergency – an existential crisis for hu- supported.

leaders from Boris Johnson to Narendra manity, threatening our very survival. When I speak to shipowners, I usually

Modi, and from Donald Trump to Xi Jing- And it’s not just about the long-term sus- fnd them eager to introduce green tech- ping, have rapidly introduced emergency tainability of society … the impacts now, nology, help reduce emissions and work measures, the like of which we’ve never today, are there for all to see. towards a more sustainable industry. But, before imagined, let alone experienced. For example, The World Health Or- quite frankly, they cannot make this tran-

Huge swathes of the economy have been ganization estimates that seven million sition alone. They need help.

shut down, public behavior and interac- people die every year due to air pollution. Shipping is a tough and notoriously cap- tion have been transformed, literally over- Seven million. The same body reports ital-intensive market. Retroftting envi- night. that between 2030 and 2050 an additional ronmentally friendly solutions may not be

The world today is unrecognizable from 250,000 deaths will occur each year as a the frst priority when you’re either strug- just a few short weeks ago. There is much direct result of further global warming, gling to stay afoat or edge ahead of the to lament about those changes, but also relating to factors such as heat stress and competition in a cut-throat market. At the something to applaud in the speed and malnutrition. And that’s before we get on same time, newbuilding yards generally impact of international response. National to rising sea levels, wildfres, extreme won’t ft the best environmental solution leaders, politicians, businesses and con- weather and, well, the list goes on. for a vessel unless the customer presses sumers have listened to experts, under- Our world is dying. And we’re the ones them – they’ll ft the one that delivers stood the threat and moved to mitigate it killing it. And what is the response from the greatest margin. And who can blame in every way possible. Unthinkable poli- those in power? them? cies have been passed without question, Compare it, if you can even visualize it, So, the industry requires clear, strategic with enormous aid packages agreed on, in relation to the current health crisis. and impactful assistance to meet its lofty while fnancial and trade concerns are It’s clear, surely, that something needs goals. It needs governments and regula- simply sidelined as we collectively em- to be done. tors to step in and deliver the policy and brace survival mode. instruments that will facilitate the green

It is, from a detached viewpoint, ex- Supporting Our Industry shift now…because this is a matter that traordinarily impressive. As the chief engine for global trade and will not wait.

the enabler that allows us to access the

An Existential Crisis resources and wealth of our ocean space, Enabling Change

Let me stress now – I am not downplay- shipping has a key role to play. We need What those measures should be are open ing the danger of Covid-19 and have huge to change our industry if we are to help to debate. Taxes on vessels with poor en- sympathy for everyone impacted, in any change the world. vironmental performance would encour- 56 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • April 2020