The aim of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has given us ten years to halve greenhouse gas emissions, and maintains that they must drop to zero by 2050. Climate change must be taken seriously. If we are to succeed in curbing its effects, we must act quickly.

Four proactive climate goals

Under the umbrella of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, Norwegian shipping companies have taken action by adopting four ambitious goals laid out in a climate strategy. The goals state that members will cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% per transported unit by 2030, compared to 2008. From 2030, Norwegian Shipowners' Association members will only order vessels with zero emission technology. From 2050, the Norwegian fleet will be climate neutral. The strategy also entails an international ban from 2050 on fuel types that are not climate neutral.

"Norwegian shipping is taking a leading role by setting ambitious goals for the development of new and profitable green technology," says Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association. "We have high ambitions, even in areas that today do not have commercially available technological solutions. We believe ambitious goals will help accelerate the necessary development. This means that the entire industry, in collaboration with the authorities, both nationally and internationally, must engage in developing new solutions," Solberg says.

Good for climate, good for business

Norwegian shipping sees great business opportunities in taking leadership in the development of innovative technology that the maritime industry and the world need. At the same time as contributing to the mitigation of global warming, and providing cleaner air and healthier oceans, new and green jobs will be created.

"We need new technology and new sustainable solutions, and development must happen quickly," says Solberg. "We can meet global climate targets while generating business opportunities . We have already accomplished a great deal, and now we want to do even more," he concludes.