Støre and Kerry call for accelerated efforts to cut emissions from shipping

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are co-leading an international initiative to accelerate reduction of emissions from the shipping sector. Under the Green Shipping Challenge event, various countries and the shipping industry proposed 61 measures to reduce emissions from shipping. The measures were announced at the beginning of COP28 in Dubai.

'The Green Shipping Challenge shows that the shipping industry and many countries are taking the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping very seriously. We have presented a number of measures that will be effective. Close cooperation between authorities and the private sector is essential to succeed in restructuring the shipping industry', said Mr Støre. 

Norway has implemented emissions requirements for domestic shipping and is working with the maritime industry to establish a climate partnership. In the period from 2024 to 2030, Norway will provide NOK 210 million to promote green shipping efforts in developing countries. This is being channelled through the Green Voyage 2050 Project.

Norway and the US have collaborated closely with Denmark and France on the Green Shipping Challenge and the Danish Prime Minister participated in the event at COP28. Leaders from the major international shipping companies were also present and announced ambitious objectives.

'It is a positive sign that Norwegian corporations such as Yara, Höegh Autoliners, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and ASKO are involved and taking the lead in implementing climate action in the shipping industry. This shows that the aims set out in our climate policy provide a basis for green maritime business development,’ said Mr Støre.

Norway is spearheading international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry, both through its work in both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and through participation in initiatives such as the Green Shipping Challenge. In July 2023, the IMO adopted the pioneering 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, which includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050.