Posted: February 21st, 2024
The Impact of Climate Change on Maritime Transport
**The Impact of Climate Change on Maritime Transport**
International maritime transport plays a pivotal role in the globalized economy, carrying over **80%** of the volume of world trade. However, like other economic sectors, it faces a dual challenge related to climate change: the need to reduce its contribution to global warming and the need to adapt to the impacts of climatic changes. In this article, we delve into the scientific background, greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, potential approaches to mitigation, the regulatory and institutional framework, and climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in maritime transport.
## Scientific Background
Maritime transport is a significant contributor to global **CO2 emissions**. The industry relies heavily on fossil fuels, making it crucial to address its environmental impact. While decarbonization efforts are underway, shipping faces unique challenges due to its transnational nature, lack of commercial availability of alternative fuels, high retrofitting costs for electrified and hybrid systems, and regulatory uncertainties.
## Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The maritime sector emits substantial amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including CO2, methane (CH4