At the UN Climate Change Conference “COP 28” in Dubai in just under three weeks, more than 200 leading representatives of the maritime transport and energy sectors will come together with governments and other key stakeholders from the entire value chain for the cross-industry decarbonization summit “Shaping the Future of Shipping: Delivering a Net Zero World Summit”.
The summit on December 10 is the largest gathering of its kind ever to take place at a COP.[ds_preview] The conference will provide a platform for cross-sector stakeholders from across the value chain to discuss and define ambitious, practical and actionable solutions for improving infrastructure, fuel availability and financing. These include how to prepare the maritime workforce to accelerate the transition to a low and zero-carbon economy.
Summit makes recommendations to the COP 28 Presidency and IMO
The summit will take place at the Museum of the Future, which will open in 2022 and act as a new global hub for ideas, technologies and innovations of the future. It will build on the discussions at the conference to chart the course for the industry and will make recommendations to both the COP 28 Presidency and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The cross-industry decarbonization summit at “COP 28” will feature a number of high-profile names. Some of the confirmed participants are: Kitack Lim, Secretary General, IMO; Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General-elect, IMO; Melina Travlos, President, Association of Greek Shipowners and Chair, Neptune Shipping Lines; Bud Darr, EVP Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC; Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO, ABS; Francesco La Camera, Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
They are joined by Sturla Henriksen, Special Advisor, Ocean, UN Global Compact, United Nations; Anders Hammer Strømman, Lead Author Transport 6th Assessment Report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS); Professor Lynn Loo, CEO, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization; Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE; Nikolaus H. Schuës, CEO of F. Laeisz and President of BIMCO, and Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register.
Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping ICS, emphasized the importance of the joint approach: “All decarbonization plans cannot be implemented without the shipping industry. For the world to decarbonize, shipping must not only be at the table, but also part of the conversation.” In order to achieve the decarbonization goals, all stakeholders across the entire value chain must work together. “We need to act now, and this important summit will be the key to a sustainable and equitable future for all.”
Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of Class ABS, said that by organizing the summit, the ICS has ensured that the voice of shipping is heard at the highest level.
Nick Brown, CEO of classification society Lloyd’s Register, added: “Shaping the Future of Shipping at COP28 will be an important forum for engaging with policy makers and international leaders to assess the urgent actions that are needed.”
ICS coordinates decarbonization summit in partnership with Emirates Shipping Association
The flagship maritime event is being organized under the auspices of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The event is organized by a coalition of leading maritime industry bodies and coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the premier international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and industries and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, in partnership with the Emirates Shipping Association.
