UN says shipping emissions 'grossly underestimated' 

The figures in the report, seen by The Guardian, are based on recalculations carried out by Intertanko, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, according to which global shipping operations are responsible for emitting 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 4.5% of worldwide emissions. This represents three times more than current estimates of 400 million tonnes, but also twice as much as the 650 million tonnes said to be emitted by aeroplanes.

The new calculations, which are thought to be more precise than earlier ones as they take into account not only the quantity of low grade fuel bought by shipowners but also the size of ships, their fuel efficiency and horse power – cast fresh doubts over the Commission's decision not to include shipping in its emissions trading scheme after 2013 (EurActiv 23/01/08). 

The report further finds that CO2 emissions from shipping are likely to increase by a further 30% by 2020 and that other pollutant emissions such as nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and sulphur oxides (SOx), which are responsible for acid rain and respiratory problems, could rise even more than that if no action is taken. 

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) last week finalised proposals for reducing air pollution from ships, but these still have to be rubberstamped by members in October, at a meeting of the organisation's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). 

According to the Commission's environment spokeswoman Barbara Helfferich, the EU executive has not yet given up on including shipping in the ETS after 2013, but it is first waiting to see what progress is made towards concluding a global agreement on cutting air pollution from ships in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). 

In the meantime, she added that a proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by fully or partially exempting vessels from electricity taxes, in order to encourage them to use shore-side electricity rather than keeping their engines running on fuels while in port, would come later this year. 

European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) Secretary General Alfons Guinier noted that a key issue is the growth in international trade – 90% of which is carried over the sea. "Shipping may be the transport mode with the largest CO2 emissions in terms of sheer volume, but in reality, shipping produces less greenhouse gases per tonne-mile than any other form of transport," he told EurActiv. 

He nevertheless said that the shipping industry was "not against" a proposal to include it in the ETS "depending on the practicalities". Among others, European shipowners are worried that they will be the only required to slash their emissions while foreign transporters continue to pollute freely. 

Green MEP Caroline Lucas, however, said it was urgent for measures to be brought forward at EU level: "These new figures highlight the shocking complacency of governments which have completely ignored shipping emissions," she added.