World Maritime Day is celebrated in September to focus attention on the importance of shipping and other maritime activities. It provides an opportunity to reflect on how the shipping industry can play a critical role in leveraging ‘greener’ innovations towards solving decarbonisation challenges.

As I wasn’t able to participate in person, I addressed the Ocean Exchange Decarbonisation Summit in October 2021 via video presentation. I focused on the challenges and solutions for decarbonising maritime transport, including the IMO decarbonisation targets, short-term and long-term solutions, and the vital finance question.

On October 13th I moderated a World Ocean Summit Insight Hour that focused on the role of ship and cargo owners in adopting alternative fuels and alternative propulsion to reduce emissions. Speakers discussed the economics of alternative fuels, retrofitting ships and upgrading bunkering infrastructure, and how to achieve scale.

World Maritime Day is observed each September to focus attention on the importance of maritime activities. Shipping transports about 90% of international trade and produces 2-3% of global CO2 emissions. These could rise by 250% by 2050. Many ship owners are committed to decarbonisation, with some companies already planning to reach net zero by 2050.

Between August 27th 2021 and September 3rd 2021 I took part in the Climate Opportunity Leaders Retreat at European Forum Alpbach. As part of my participation, I moderated an important session on "Greening the Blue Economy – Linking Ocean Health and Wealth".

In a guest article for Innovation News Network I examine how Innovation is crucial to both harness the opportunities a sustainable ocean economy can offer and address the risks that ocean degradation poses. Innovative solutions include ocean energy, the decarbonisation of shipping, aquaculture, ecosystem restoration and ‘blue carbon’, ocean geoengineering, and blue finance.

Carbon emissions from shipping account for almost 3% of global emissions, a larger percentage than Germany. When the International Maritime Organisation met in London in November I was interviewed by BBC News on the need for the decarbonisation of the shipping sector.