Finland, India, Norway and Singapore share experiences from developing a National Action Plan

 

Representatives from several countries who have gone through the process of developing a National Action Plan (NAP) to address GHG emissions from ships have shared their experiences in order to support other countries that are embarking in the development of  a NAP.

Video interviews with representatives from Finland, India, Norway and Singapore are available on the NAP portal of the GreenVoyage2050 website and have been edited to summarise the following four components: Drivers, Benefits, Process and Top 3 Tips.

Representatives interviewed were:

• Mikael Nyberg, Deputy Permanent Representative to IMO, Finland
• Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping, India
• Sveinung Oftedal, Specialist Director, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway
• Tham Wai Wah, Chief Sustainability Office, Maritime and Port Authority, Singapore

IMO resolution MEPC.367(79) encourages Member States to develop and submit voluntary NAPs to address GHG emissions from ships, outlining respective policies and actions.  This will help countries to achieve the emission reduction goals set out in IMO’s initial GHG strategy. NAPs may be developed by Member States willing to initiate early actions at national level.

The resolution suggests that a NAP could include, but are not limited to:

1. improving domestic institutional and legislative arrangements for the effective implementation of existing IMO instruments;
2. developing activities to further enhance the energy efficiency of ships;
3. initiating research and advancing the uptake of alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels;
4. encouraging the production and distribution of such fuels for shipping;
5. accelerating port emission reduction activities, consistent with resolution MEPC.366(79);
6. fostering capacity-building, awareness-raising and regional cooperation;
7. facilitating the development of infrastructure for green shipping; and
8. facilitating voluntary cooperation through the whole value chain, including ports, to create favourable conditions to reduce GHG emissions from ships through shipping routes and maritime hubs consistent with international law, including the multilateral trade regime.

The GreenVoyage2050 Project has developed a NAP template and guidance document which aim to support policy makers wishing to develop a NAP. These can be accessed as a PDF , or as an online version here.