The International Maritime Organization’s second symposium on low and zero carbon fuels was titled: ‘Ensuring a just and inclusive transition towards low-carbon shipping’. Despite a general lack of focus on front-line workers, there were still some highlights for seafarers.
Rob Coston reports
Nautilus International has long been pressing for a ‘just transition’ to new low- and zero-carbon propulsion technologies, so it was good to see that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) had decided to focus on the topic for its second symposium on low and zero carbon fuels.
From the Union’s perspective, a just transition to greener shipping is one that sees employers and governments investing in the skills and safety of the workers who will operate the new technologies. However, there are other viewpoints in which the term means – for example – that state financial support should be given to employers required by new laws to install greener technology.
IMO secretary general Kitack Lim opened the 21 October symposium in London by stating that ‘decarbonizing international shipping is a priority issue for IMO and we are all committed to act together in achieving the highest possible ambition.’
As the head of a United Nations body – indeed, one that has been accused of dragging its feet on the issue of decarbonisation – it is perhaps no surprise that much of Mr Lim’s opening speech focused on the need for collaboration to solve climate problems. He further highlighted that the transition contains opportunities for developing nations, as well as costs. Seafarers did not feature especially highly in these opening comments, but the secretary general did acknowledge that ‘as well as new technology and new fuels, we should not forget we will need new training for the maritime workforce.’
The IMO will ‘promote a just and equitable transition with no-one left behind,’ he said.
IMO secretary general Kitack Lim said that the UN body will ‘promote a just and equitable transition with no-one left behind’. Image: Danny Cornelissen
Seafarers absent?
Unfortunately, much of the day-long event focused not on seafarers and frontline workers but on other topics – with around 20 speakers largely choosing to focus on the business case for decarbonisation, the different fuel options available to shipping companies and, more frequently, the opportunities for developing countries to benefit from the transition.
This aspect was covered expertly by panellist Christiaan De Beukelaer, senior lecturer culture and climate at University of Melbourne & Durham University.
‘The current energy transition we face could be and should be an opportunity to improve lives around the world,’ he said, which would require the process to be ‘environmentally effective, procedurally fair, genuinely just and equitable’.
The transition could either widen, maintain or – preferably – reduce global disparities and inequalities, he pointed out.
‘In practice we need to ensure worker safety/social justice, technological inclusiveness and global equitability. These elements, along with the practical side of transitioning to green technology, are mutually reinforcing.’
Source: Nautilus International