Decarbonizing Marine Shipping: Air Quality Co-Benefits for Coastal Communities

• How decarbonization of marine shipping can provide air quality co-benefits to coastal communities.
• Co-benefits and trade-offs between greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution policies.
• Policy strategies to reduce methane slip (unburned methane released by liquefied natural gas [LNG]-powered vessels).

In July 2023, the International Maritime Organization revised its GHG Strategy to commit the marine shipping industry to reach net-zero emissions by or around 2050. The current long-term target is aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. In light of the sector’s decarbonization strategy, this research explores to what extent achieving these goals will also reduce emissions of harmful pollutants – such as sulphur oxides (SO_x), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – and in turn, benefit the health of coastal and port communities in Canada. To answer this question, this project is developing an integrated modelling framework that links policy scenario analysis, emissions and air quality modelling, and health impact analysis.

The research team conducted a survey of multi-sectoral expert opinions on future decarbonization pathways for the maritime shipping industry. This expert input will enable the development of future emissions scenarios for greenhouse gases and other air pollutants from ships to improve air quality modelling tools in Canada. The project also included a MITACS-funded sub-project on developing policies for methane slip mitigation. This sub-project identified and evaluated measures and policy strategies to reduce methane slip on LNG-powered marine vessels.

Decarbonization of marine shipping offers potential co-benefits for improving air quality in coastal communities. However, there are also strategies to reduce shipping-related air pollution that may have unintended consequences for GHG emissions. Policy strategies are necessary to maximize co-benefits and reduce unintended consequences. For instance, to ensure that the shipping sector reduces methane slip from LNG-powered vessels and contributes to overall decarbonization goals.

Getting to Zero by 2050 – Technical Regulatory Details Matter in Accelerating Decarbonization of Marine Fuels.

By Imranul Laskar, Amanda Giang, Paul Blomerus (2023).

Laskar, I.I., & Giang, A. (2023). Policy approaches to mitigate in-use methane emissions from natural gas use as a marine fuel. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability, 3(2).

This project was led by academic researchers at The University of British Columbia in collaboration with Clear Seas and funded by MEOPAR.