A taxonomy of carbon emission reduction measures in waterborne freight transportation
Abstract
A wide range of measures has been proposed to improve vessel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions (1, 2). The classification of such measures is the subject of several publications. The Second GHG Study (3) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the most influential among them and identifies three fundamental categories of carbon emission reduction options: (i) energy efficiency improvements, which are further, sub-divided into the areas of ship design and operations; (ii) renewable energy sources; and (iii) fuels with lower lifecycle emissions per unit of work. Variations of this scheme have been proposed by Balland et al. (4) and Calleya, Pawling, and Greig (5). Classification schemes like the ones mentioned above are simple and practical but lack rigid theoretical foundations. On the other hand, schemes that attempt to capture the multiplicity of interrelations among all factors affecting emission volumes are often of low practical value due to their high level of complexity. IMO (3) provides such an example. Although it clearly acknowledges that, by definition, the CO2 emissions for most ships depend on the operational efficiency of the fleet and the transport work performed, when it comes to identifying the principal factors affecting the volume of emissions, the study presents a rather complex model including external and internal parameters that influence transport demand, modal split and fleet operations among others. McKinnon’s analytical framework for green logistics falls into this category, too (6).
Info
Conference Paper, 2018
UN SDG Classification
DK Main Research Area
Science/Technology
