On 3 October, the California Attorney General Jerry Brown and a coalition of environmental groups simultaneously petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to regulate emissions from marine shipping causing climate change.

The environmental groups Earthjustice, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth and Oceana said that "the sheer number of these ships, coupled with operating practices that use fuel inefficiently and poor government oversight, results in carbon dioxide emissions" equal to "the emissions of 130 million to 195 million cars."

The petitions came in the wake of a US Supreme Court ruling in April this year, which confirmed that the EPA has the jurisdiction to regulate in the area of climate change. The current petitions are the first to be filed after the Supreme Court decision, and would affect global shipping operations. Even though potential EPA rules would apply to US territorial waters only, they would apply to all vessels operating there, regardless of their country of origin or country of flag. Tough rules in the US would likely also lead the country to push for tightened rules at the international level through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Petition calls for efficiency, cleaner fuels

The petition filed by the four environmental groups asked the EPA to act by "(1) requiring marine shipping vessels to meet emissions standards by operating in a fuel-efficient manner, using cleaner fuels, and/or employing technical controls, so as to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and black carbon, and (2) controlling the manufacture and sale of fuels used in marine shipping vessels by imposing fuel standards to reduce emission products that contribute to global warming."

By applying to all vessels in US water, the rules would avoid putting a disproportionate burden on US ships.

"If the US is to do its part in reducing the threat of global climate disruption, then EPA must limit the global warming emissions from ships that enter the ports of the United States," commented California Attorney General Jerry Brown. Danielle Fugere of Friends of the Earth noted that "Slower speeds, cleaner fuels, better ships - the steps that the shipping industry must take are clear. It's up to the EPA to ensure these steps are taken."

Representatives of the shipping industry called for a global approach. "We would prefer to see these issues resolved at the international level," said T.L. Garrett, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. "Then everyone's on a level playing field. We think it's the most efficient way of advancing these environmental initiatives." Joe Angelo, deputy managing director of Intertanko, a group representing independent tanker operators, agreed that the best approach was "to reduce emissions worldwide - universally - not just unilateral action in the United States or the European Union."

The EPA will have to provide a response to the petition within six month's time.

Shipping - a major source of pollution

According to the petition by the environmental groups, marine vessels produce close to three percent of the world's greenhouse gases. The worldwide fleet of 90,000 ships transports 90 percent of the world's goods, and only six countries emit greater amounts of greenhouse gases. Shipping has grown by three percent annually on average over the last three decades, and shipping emissions are projected to grow by more than 70 percent by 2020, as global trade expands.

The petition for regulatory action on greenhouse gas emissions from ships came as a meeting of 16 major economies organised by US president Bush in Washington focused on voluntary measures to address global climate change.

Additional resources

To view the petition by the environmental groups, visit http://www.oceana.org/fileadmin/oceana/uploads/Climate_Change/Marine_GHG_Petition_FINAL.pdf.

"EPA Asked to Regulate Ship Emissions," AP, 3 October 2007; "Environmental Advocates Urge The EPA To Reduce Global Warming Pollution From Ships," OCEANA RELEASE, 3 October 2007; "E.P.A. Is Petitioned to Limit Ship Emissions," NEW YORK TIMES, 3 October 2007; "Shipping emissions are vastly underestimated," THE TIMES, 4 October 2007.