COP26

This week the world’s attention has been on Glasgow and the COP26 climate change summit.

There is still a week of negotiations to go, but already we have seen some extremely positive agreements on deforestation, coal use and curbing the amount of methane released into the atmosphere. I joined discussions at the City of Glasgow College Maritime Hub, and attended the excellent Maritime UK reception with some inspiring speeches from HRH The Princess Royal, IMO President Kitack Lim, Belgian Prime Minster Alexander de Croo and many others. The hub also hosted several Ports seminars and a Maritime Skills Commission Green Skills Forum. 

It was encouraging to see the international shipping industry so passionate and committed to taking immediate, meaningful steps to tackling climate change.

At the Chamber we have been clear that we want the International Maritime Organisation to commit to a goal of net zero by 2050 and this week has seen substantive progress towards this. Some of the world's largest companies have signed up to a John Kerry-led coalition aiming to tackle the carbon footprint of shipping and other hard-to-abate industries. Shipping has a key role to play in the vital and inexorable move towards a net zero world. We will continue to make the case for a firm commitment to net zero by 2050 to the IMO in the run up to the MEPC meeting at the end of the month.

Transport Decarbonisation funding

The Department for Transport has announced that an early-stage innovation grant programme called the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) is now open. The scheme provides competition winners with funding to take innovative transport technology ideas through the proof of concept / prototyping stage of their development. If members are interested in learning more or applying, please go to this website to find out more or contact Anna Ziou or Michael Igoe in the policy team.

Events

Next week is a busy week for the Chamber and the British Tugowners Association. The Chamber’s popular Understanding UK Shipping Course is being held on Tuesday 9^th and there are still a few places available. Members and non-members can book tickets on our website.

And on Thursday 11^th the British Tugowners Association will be hosting their annual Safety Seminar. The full day seminar will examine recent incidents, legal and liability implications of incidents, release new publications, discuss accident prevention and will hear from tug experts, pilots and investigators. It is open to both members and non-members and you can book your place here.