EMEA News
EU, EC Say EEDI Not Enough To Reduce Shipping Emissions
The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) will not be enough to ensure shipping emissions are reduced fast enough according to a joint statement by Vice-President of the European Commission Siim Kallas and EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard.
The politicians said EEDI, which will apply only to new tonnage, was a "significant and highly welcome step forward" by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), but steps were needed to "quickly deliver emissions reductions," such as energy efficiency measures which applied to existing ships.
"A simple, robust and globally-feasible approach towards setting a system for monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions based on fuel consumption is the necessary starting point," they said.
"It's therefore our joint intention to pursue such a monitoring, reporting and verification system in early 2013. At the same time, we will continue the debate with stakeholders on which measure can successfully address the EU's greenhouse gas reduction objectives," they added.
EEDI will apply to ship orders placed on or after January 1, 2013 and to ships delivered after January 1, 2015, and will require 10% greater efficiency for ships delivered between 2015 and 2019, 20% between 2020 and 2024, and 30% from 2025 onwards.
"Shipping is a global industry and needs global solutions to address its environmental footprint. As a result, we are all working towards an internationally agreed global solution to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from ships," said Kallas and Hedegaard.
