Maritime transport and the climate change challenge
With more than 80 per cent of global trade in goods (by volume) carried by sea, international maritime transport plays a key role in world trade and globalization. Access to cost-effective maritime transport services remains one of the key imperatives for developing countries, especially for landlocked developing countries that face additional challenges in connection with transit transport. Like other economic sectors, international maritime transport is confronted by climate change and its implications.
Compelling scientific evidence and a better understanding of the potential economic impacts of climate change have moved the issue to the forefront of the international agenda. A Conference under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in December 2007 in Bali to launch negotiations on a post-Kyoto agreement. Set to conclude in December 2009, these negotiations provide a renewed opportunity for the international community to undertake meaningful commitments to address climate change.
Possible measures to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping are being considered, both at the regulatory and industry levels. At the same time, the effects of climate change and their implications for maritime transport, as well as their impact on access to cost-efficient and sustainable international transport services, need to be properly understood to ensure that appropriate adaptation measures are taken. This is particularly relevant for the most vulnerable countries, namely the least developed countries (LDCs), the landlocked least developed countries (LLDCs) and the small island developing states (SIDS).
Against this background, the Expert Meeting provides a platform for the exchange of views and experiences, both to improve understanding of the implications of climate change for maritime transport and to help contribute substantively to discussions on possible regulatory options under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UNFCCC process. Related cross-cutting issues, in particular financing, technology and energy security, will also be considered.
Discussions at the meeting are expected to contribute to the debate on the appropriate format, scope and content of a potential new regulatory regime on GHG emissions from international maritime transport, as well as the economic and policy implications of different mitigation measures for the trade competitiveness of developing countries. The discussions are also expected to help, inter alia, in:
- Assessing the potential impacts of climate change and their implications for transportation systems, in particular ports and ships.
- Improving understanding of required adaptation measures, particularly with a view to the needs of developing countries.
- Exploring the potential for synergies between transport and trade facilitation measures and climate policy, including in relation to technology.
- Identifying current climate change-driven cooperation mechanisms between maritime industry stakeholders and exploring their potential relevance for developing countries.
- Outlining best practices in terms of mechanisms used to integrate climate change considerations into transportation policy, related land use planning, as well as infrastructure investment decisions and development strategies.
Input from experts
Experts nominated by member States are encouraged to submit brief papers (approximately five pages) as contributions to the work of the meeting.
The papers should be submitted to the UNCTAD secretariat in advance of the meeting.
The papers will be made available at the meeting in the form and language in which they are received.
Submit papers to:
Ms. Wendy Juan
UNCTAD secretariat
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
F.: +41 22 9170050
E.: wendy.juan@unctad.org
