Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

UN calls on shipping industry to cut emissions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Nov 2022 09:38
3 Min Read

UNCTAD emphasizes the critical role of shipping in the global economy, with more than 80% of all traded goods moved by sea.

  • x
  • UN urges shipping industry to cut emissions.
    Container ships at Southampton docks (PA)

The United Nations warned on Tuesday that carbon emissions from shipping were increasing, urging the massive industry to scrap old, polluting vessels and upgrade infrastructure to accelerate its green transition.

UNCTAD, the UN's trade and development agency, highlighted the role shipping plays in the global economy, with over 80% of all traded goods in the world moved by sea.

However, while the world is aware of the need to decrease greenhouse gas emissions to avert catastrophic climate change, the global maritime fleet recorded an increase in emissions by 4.7% between 2020 and 2021 alone, it said.

Read next: "Irreversible damages" caused by US' emissions of greenhouse gases

"That number is heading in the wrong direction," UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan told reporters ahead of the launch of the agency's annual report on maritime transport.

Grynspan, a former Costa Rican vice president, also expressed concern about the average age of ships on the high seas, which is now nearly 22 years old. "Our ships pollute more as they get older," she said, stressing the need for "a whole new generation of ships... that can use the most cost-efficient fuels and can integrate seamlessly with smart digital systems."

Adapting ports 

Related News

Saudi green strategy not viable, fails to address climate crisis

COP27: EU agrees to loss, damage fund to aid poor states

UNCTAD urged greater investment in technical and operational improvements to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, such as switching to alternative, low- or zero-carbon fuels and optimizing operations.

However, the report released on Tuesday warned that the global economic outlook, combined with rising borrowing costs and regulatory uncertainty, would likely impede investments in new ships needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It called for a "predictable global regulatory framework for investing in decarbonisation," as well as increased support for developing countries in the energy transition. It also emphasized the urgent need to adapt ports to the impacts of climate change.

Now ports are faced with competition against green technology and will need to be able to serve green-technology ships, including providing clean fuel access and adapted maintenance, it said.

The changes come at a time when the global shipping sector has been rocked by a string of global crises. "For the last two years, the maritime industry has suffered from tremendous disruption," Grynspan said.

"Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, climate change and geopolitics have blocked ports, pushed up prices and closed entire shipping routes," she noted.

Slow growth in 2022 

According to the report released on Tuesday, global maritime trade declined 3.8% during the first pandemic year of 2020, but rebounded last year, increasing 3.2%. "Unfortunately in 2022, this recovery basically lost steam," Shamika Sirimanne, UNCTAD's technology and logistics chief, told reporters, pointing to geopolitical tensions, the slowing global economy, and the new waves of Covid-19 infections in China that shuttered factories.

The sector is expected to grow by 1.4% this year, and maritime trade is expected to grow by 2.1% per year on average from 2023 to 2027, she said.

However, the marked improvement this year, which is far lower than the long-term trend before the pandemic of a 3.3% annual growth on average in maritime trade.

  • COP27
  • Climate change
  • United Nations
  • Climate crisis
  • Greenhouse gases
STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS