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Government criticised for a lack of progress on maritime decarbonisation plans
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) warned on 13 February that the delays in updating the UK’s maritime decarbonisation strategy and uncertainty over government support for net zero shipping could jeopardise the UK’s leadership in this area.
This statement was a reaction to the government's response to the EAC’s predecessor Committee’s report, Net Zero and UK Shipping, also published on 13 February.
In its response to the EAC, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen global greenhouse gas reduction measures.
However, the EAC argues that these efforts are undermined by the lack of a clear domestic strategy for reducing emissions from UK shipping and ports.
Committee Chair Toby Perkins MP, in a letter to the Transport Secretary, calls for clarity on government funding for research and development in clean fuels and technology, emphasising the need for consistent policy direction to support the sector’s decarbonisation.
Alexandra Herdman, Logistics UK's Senior Policy Manager said: "With shipping being a difficult sector to decarbonise and with no clear green fuel for the future, we continue to urge the government to set out a clear strategy for the maritime industry to reduce emissions.
"Logistics UK’s members have long been calling for support and clarity to decarbonise the maritime sector and government needs to provide the direction to make this change happen."
The UK Chamber of Shipping's full response can be found here.
Published On: 20/02/2025 14:42:15
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News In Brief
UK Chamber of Shipping urges government to clarify net zero maritime strategy
The UK Chamber of Shipping has responded to the publication of the government's response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) Report on Net Zero and UK Shipping, echoing calls by the Chair of the EAC, Toby Perkins MP, for the government to release their decarbonisation strategy without delay.
On 13 February the EAC published the government’s response to its predecessor committee’s report on ‘Net zero and UK shipping’.
Alongside the response the Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, has written to the Transport Secretary. Calling for clarity from Government on the publication of the successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan, and warning that continued delays may put at risk the UK’s leadership on maritime decarbonisation.
Alexandra Herdman, Logistics UK's Senior Policy Manager said: "With shipping being a difficult sector to decarbonise and with no clear green fuel for the future, the maritime sector needs clarification from the government about their plans for decarbonisation.
"We support the Chamber in urging the government to release these details as soon as possible. Logistics UK’s members have long been calling for support and clarity and government needs to provide the direction to make this change happen."
The UK Chamber's full response can be found here.
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