Soon, either Chennai or Ennore port may go for carbon footprinting as a pilot project. It is planned to determine Green House Gas (GHG) emission sources, track emission trends and generate information needed to take steps for reduction.
The Mercantile Marine Department of the Ministry of Shipping and Energi Services, a carbon footprint consulting company, organised a seminar on Saturday to impart understanding on the concept of carbon footprint of ports and ships, international regulations and work out reduction strategies.
“The idea is to prepare the country's shipping industry to adapt itself to the regulations of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in future,” said R. Kannan, Chief Consultant, Energi Services. The shipping industry could gain from the Maritime Emissions Trading Scheme, a system for CO2 emissions trading in international shipping, and International Compensation Fund for GHG emissions from ships, he says.
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The International Association of Ports and Harbours has formed a consortium called World Port Climate Initiative as the CO2 emissions of world fleet of merchant vessels could climb to 6 per cent in 2020 from 2.7 per cent in 2009 if actions are not taken.
“A carbon footprint of the port will reveal the amount of GHG emissions directly and indirectly released over a measured period providing valuable information on emission reduction strategies. There is a need to evolve strategies on GHG emission reduction on a localised basis,” Mr. Kannan said.
At the seminar, delegates representing all types of businesses related to shipping and logistics were informed of the increasing demand for carbon footprint or products and services and methods to identify carbon hotspots and where to focus carbon reduction strategies.
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