Title: Policy instruments and recent advances of the greenhouse gas regulating framework in shipping

Authors: Eva Lema; Dimitris Papaioanou

Addresses: Panteion University of Social and Political Science, 14 Aristotelous Str., Kallithea, Athens 176 71, Greece ' Department of Economic and Regional Development, Panteion University of Social and Political Science, 14 Aristotelous Str., Kallithea, Athens 176 71, Greece

Abstract: The development of a global framework for regulating GHG emissions from shipping is one of the most intensively discussed environmental topics in last decade. In general, shipping is considered an environmental friendly mode of transportation due to its energy-efficiency results. In July 2011 came a first mandatory global GHG reduction measure for the shipping industry. However, market-based mechanisms were also considered, since it is expected that there will be substantial growth in world trade during the next decades. These measures claim to regulate GHG emissions from international shipping in a cost effective and non-discriminatory way while achieving environmental targets and enhancing the sector's ability to invest in technological improvements. However, stakeholders have serious disagreements about the mechanisms, which seem to bring discussions to a deadlock. The aim of this paper is to provide an inter-subjective view of the current status, based on cause and effect analysis on the conflict areas.

Keywords: shipping industry; framework; energy efficiency; market-based measures; environmental policy; greenhouse gases; GHG emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2013.058928

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2013 Vol.14 No.3/4, pp.238 - 252

Received: 22 Mar 2013
Accepted: 06 Aug 2013
Published online: 30 Jun 2014 *

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