Ports and C40 Cities to create trans-Pacific green shipping corridor

The global shipping industry is responsible for three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Worldwide, greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry are expected to double by 2050. Establishing green shipping corridors is critical to enabling the early adoption of long-term decarbonisation solutions for international shipping, especially along major routes.

The trans-Pacific corridor is the busiest container shipping lane globally. In 2020, ships moved 31.2 million 20-foot equivalent unit containers – 21 per cent of the world’s total – across the Pacific Ocean, according to figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2021).

“Accelerating efforts to decarbonise the shipping sector is urgent if we are to limit global heating to 1.5°C,” added Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities.

“By convening international coalitions of the willing and creating a scalable and replicable model for other cities to follow, we hope this ground-breaking green shipping corridor initiative will catalyse action on a global scale.”

C40 is a network of 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science- based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities.

“By convening international coalitions of the willing and creating a scalable and replicable model for other cities to follow, we hope this ground-breaking green shipping corridor initiative will catalyse action on a global scale”

The C40 Green Ports Forum, led by the City and Port of Los Angeles, connects port cities and ports around the world in implementing policies, programmes, and projects that mitigate air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from port activities, shipping, and supply chains.

The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Programme’s Shipping Decarbonisation Initiative (SDI) is partnering with leading companies and organisations from around the world, tapping into a vast network to drive the transition to zero emission maritime shipping and decarbonise one of the most important sectors of the global economy.

Through projects such as Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels, Aspen SDI is convening multinational cargo owners to accelerate shipping decarbonisation, elevating the need for shipping decarbonisation within the US policy context, and advancing the establishment of zero-lifecycle emission transoceanic maritime transport corridors.