The Swedish Shipowners’ Association (SSA) says that it is taking a leadership role in working toward a fossil fuel free future by joining the Government of Sweden’s Fossil Free initiative and adopting a Climate Roadmap.
“It is natural that we support the government initiative of a fossil free Sweden and our hope is that the government can support our industry with its innovation for the development of truly sustainable shipping,” said Pia Berglund, managing director of the SSA.
The SSA says that it was “disappointed” that shipping was left out of the United Nations climate agreement at the recent 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) summit in Paris, adding that more needs to be done to address climate change.
The organisation says that shipping has “one of the best track records” for participation in the innovation of environmental solutions, and adds that the SSA has joined the fossil free initiative in order to ensure that the shipping industry plays a more proactive role in climate action.
“In order to be successful with a fossil fuel free vision, significant effort is required by industry in combination with increased national and international funding and support for further research, innovation and implementation,” said Berglund.
“It will need more than technical development or research to fulfill the objective of zero waste – zero emission. It will require a complete and broad reassessment of the whole transport chain.”
The SSA explains that it has also launched its own Climate Road Map, which sets out the organisation’s goals for a fossil free shipping industry, and has handed it over to Åsa Romson, Sweden’s Minister of Environment and Climate.
Last week, it was reported that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) welcomed the climate deal reached at the COP21 talks in Paris, saying it is now “full speed ahead with climate-change measures.”
