Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 15
GHG Emissions from the
International Goods Movement
by Ships and the Adaptation
Funding Distribution
Haifeng Wang
University of Delaware, USA
ABSTRACT
The GHG reduction from ships has attracted international attention. As the major transportation mode
in international trade, how the reduction cost influences the international trade is becoming a major
concern. How to allocate the funds collected from the emission regulation is also in controversy. This
chapter summarizes the policy instruments under discussion in the International Maritime Organization
and discusses the advantages of market based instruments. Using the Ship, Trade, Traffic and Emission
Model, this chapter calculates the impact of ship-based GHG reduction cost on the international trade.
The impact is small for most countries, but relatively large for small island countries, creating an equity
issue ready to be resolved. The ongoing debate between the common but differentiated responsibility
and equal treatment for ships principle is documented. This chapter proposes that all countries need
to reduce GHGs but developing countries, especially small island countries, should get more benefits.
INTRODUCTION
CO
2
from ships has been an increasing concern in
recent years. It accounted for more than 10% of
CO
2
emissions from the transportation sector in
2005. Furthermore, data from UNCTAD shows
that the sea-based transport accounts for more
than 80% of world freight transport in volume
The transportation sector is the second largest
source of CO
2
emissions, accounting for more than
22% of the world inventory in 2005 (IPCC, 2007).
