In partnership with the National Research Council of Canada and the University of British Columbia’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Clear Seas is pleased to present the Pathways to Zero Impact Shipping decision-making framework and review of technological solutions to support ship owners and operators in making decisions about how to reduce the environmental impacts of marine shipping.
About this webinar:
Although marine shipping remains the most energy-efficient way to transport freight globally, as vessel traffic increases, so do concerns about its environmental impacts, which extend beyond greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, commercial ships must work to reduce and eliminate all forms of air pollution, discharges of oil and other waste into the water, microplastics, underwater noise, and the transfer of invasive species, while preventing spills and accidents. When it comes to improving the environmental footprint of shipping, both ship owners and technology developers are faced with a myriad of possibilities – automation, alternative fuels, propulsion systems, innovative materials, artificial intelligence, etc. – for where they should place their effort.
Using a multi-criteria sustainability assessment approach, the project has developed an evaluation framework that accounts for the full environmental impacts of marine shipping and the extent different technologies may contribute to reducing those impacts. This publicly available framework will help identify and prioritize solutions that have the greatest potential to reduce impacts across the full suite of environmental performance areas. This work will also help to inform decisions and scope future research driving technological improvements toward the goal of “zero-impact shipping”.
