Environment

The future is green

There’s no doubt about how integral the shipping industry is to modern society, anytime anybody needs to have anything anywhere, shipping will inevitably be a part of that process at some stage. However, the carbon footprint associated with this is a global issue. Many countries are setting targets to tackle this with industry leaders understanding that green shipping is the way of the future – as a result, organisations are working towards this goal.

Over the past 10 years there has been a steady decline in oil and gas use due to rising concerns over global warming and diminishing resources. This has led to huge global research and investment into wind, solar and hydro energy. For many project shipping companies this is a concern as oil and gas companies are a huge staple for the majority of these organisations when dealing with the movement of equipment for oil rigs, fracking sites and oil fields.

Arctic shipping is currently affected more than anything by melting ice.

Shipping accidents, while 18% less than 1980, still occur, particularly in areas of environmental significance. As a result, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) conducted research to find out just what the most dangerous shipping routes and oceans are.

The 21st century concept of ‘going green’ is everywhere. From day to day recycling to conglomerate carbon footprints, bloggers and journalists alike bombard us with environmental warnings. Shipping has been labeled the ‘greenest’ transport method, but with its rapid rise due to globalization, is this still the case?

The annual Carbon Conference, hosted by the Freight Transport Association, is back for another year to provide in-depth and specialised carbon reduction advice for all freight operators, whatever the scale of business.