Regulation of Industrial Carbon Emissions - Case Study Example

Logistics Industrial Carbon Emissions Relevant Journal Articles Karim, S & Alam, S. Climate change and reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases from ships: an appraisal. Asian Journal of International Law, 1(1), 131-148 Han, C. 2010. Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution in Shipping Industry. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 26(1), 007-030 Shi, Y. 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping: the response from Chinas shipping industry to the regulatory Initiatives of the International Maritime Organization. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 29, 77-115. Paixao, A.C., & Marlow, P.B. 2002. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Short Sea Shipping. Marine Policy, 26,167–178 Wiedmann, T., & Lenzen, M. 2007. Examining the Global Environmental Impact of Regional Consumption Activities-Part 2: Review of Input-Output Models for the Assessment of Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade. Ecological Economics, 61, 15-26. Research Issue from the articles: One research issue found to be common in these articles concerns how to achieve full implementation of regulatory laws and policies that ensures mitigation of GHG emissions in shipping industry. Background of the Study There is elaborate examination of the mandate and competence of the IMO in mitigation and regulation of GHG emissions from international shipping. In this case, IMO should play a central role in providing solution to carbon emissions from shipping industry. The articles at the same time examine and assess International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) contributions in reduction of shipping GHG emissions and various responses from different countries (IMO, 2011). Currently, shipping industry has recorded increased use of fossil fuel due to high demand in maritime transportation services (Shi, 2014). However, despite the positive aspect of offering convenient transport services for cargo, there is the negative aspect of increased green house gas emissions that requires greater increase in efficiency for the purposes of environmental protection. There are different forms of adverse impact that humans have on environment such as acidification. However, carbon emissions alongside other green house gases (GHGs) are considered detrimental since they have very long-term effects on environment (Han, 2010). The industry as mentioned above, has realized significant growth amidst less scrutiny on the industry’s environmental impact. However, the shipping companies’ experiences difficulties in enforcing environmental regulations due to complex nature of the industry and also due to the fact that most of the shipping processes are not open to public scrutiny (Shi, 2014). Most of the shipping fleet runs on diesel referred to as bunker oil which is known to be of lower quality than that used by vehicles, therefore, produces higher emissions per power output as compared to the regulated on-road diesel engines. The main concern from the research is the emissions of gases that cause harm to the environment at sea and the impact of the emissions on the well-being of those around the port (Expert Project Management, 2010). Climate change presents one of global issues that require elaborate response from the international community. One of the main contributors to climate change as previously mentioned is greenhouse gas emissions, which have attracted different opinions from the global community. According to Dai (2010) tackling, such climate change requires establishment of international climate change regime that entails rules, principles, norms, and procedures that can effectively combat range of activities within the global field. Various regulations have been developed at national, regional and international levels with focus to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some of these laws are documented in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kyoto Protocol which are at the helm of promoting international climate change regime (United Nations, 1998). The contribution of GHG emissions from the shipping industry has been on the increasing trend. However, the producers of GHG emissions from international shipping companies are excluded from liabilities presented in Kyoto Protocol, which presents potential shortcoming on international climate change regime that requires further investigations. The current projected growth in demand for maritime shipping services leads to higher percentage carbon emissions. This requires establishment of efficient and aggressive regulatory policies by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UNFCCC. According to UNCTAD 2012) approximately 55-77% of total emissions within port regions are caused by ships. Research by United Nations (2005) shows that at berth ship emissions can fundamentally be three to five times higher than emissions at the sea, therefore, determines level of concentration of exhaust emissions at ports. Improving energy efficiency through delivery of same services by use of less energy in shipping activities provides one potential avenue that leads towards mitigation of shipping emissions (Shi, 2014). 2. Research Question: What is keeping the shipping industry from full implementation of laws and policies that lead to extensive mitigation of GHG emissions? Research Objective: To determine the extent of damage caused by shipping emissions on environment and the society at large Despite legally binding commitments set by Kyoto Protocol and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on reduction of greenhouse gases, there have been difficulties in attributing emissions from shipping to specific countries. However, there is significant importance attached to the analysis of shipping emissions. The research question was formulated from the concern that arises in cases where shipping fleet is quoted to be involved in carrying over 90% of world trade by volume, therefore, making the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions a threat to environment (UNCTAD, 2012). These emissions are highly correlated to the level of fuel consumption. The question and the objective are formulated to assist in answering the dilemma concerning, the inconsistencies in international auditing systems and laws that have made it difficult enforcement and exact calculations on fuel consumption of sheep fleet. At the same time it important to understand the existing gap between reality and efficiency in fuel consumption through studies of management practices in shipping companies. The question and the objective give direction in the creation of collaborative research together with shipping industry in an effort to implement energy management systems within specific shipping organizations. The objective will be answered through the application of detailed qualitative information. The research focuses on exploring and establishing improvement in energy management systems during maritime fleet, hence, establishes the nature of impact of quality assurance on projects (Strauss and Corbin, 1990). The objectives of the research provide ways through which the researcher presents his/her point of view on issues including experiences. It assists in building an understanding on the manner in which people see and build their lives as important processes, the relationships involved and finally interpret the existing relationships within the context of social environment (Black, 1994). Answering the questions through objective aims at producing elaborate description of the phenomenon in question, and at the same time gives conclusive interpretation of the meaning of phenomenon in question. 3 a) Implications of the ethical rules, controls and policy which underpin the use of data from this ONE source First, ethical principles set out for research procedures provide the basis for reviewing authenticity of research proposals. Ethical probity ensures consideration of the design and proposed conduct for the collection of data used in the source. The policy used in the research article scrutinizes on whether recruitment method proposed for data collection pressurized participants. However, evaluation of the source through peer review ensures that the article attains research standards as part of approval process. The research method applicable in this case aims at developing concepts from recorded data on shipping emissions and ultimately links them to appropriate theories. The guide used as the source of research data for the article focuses on the areas bearing many controversies on GHG emission within the topic of study (MSC, 2014). The ethical standards seek the establishment of the relationship between environmental benefit of cleaner fuel, charges and reactions from the society at large. Collecting, interpreting and understanding of data is done best under ethical rules and controls, where the data provided, its analysis and theory stand in reciprocal relationship whereby the area of study proves relevant to the research questions and objectives (MSC, 2014). Secondly, ethical standards and policies as applicable prevent occurrences of plagiarism, therefore, ensuring that source of data used is acknowledged. The process ensures that authors conform to the strict rules and regulations in the process of retrieving information from such secondary sources. Any information as provided by authors is utilized strictly for the purposes of achieving stated research objectives. The survey instrument used during data collection is required not to seek identity or personal information like names for purposes of confidentiality hence making participants completely anonymous. The security of participants in the process of sourcing primary data is accorded the highest priority as far as giving information is concerned. However, in the event that such information is deemed to compromise the security of any given respondent, then any further interview is stopped (MSC, 2014). b) Usefulness of the article as source of data for answering the research question The article is considered appropriate since it contains statistical results necessary for answering the questions on level of compliance of shipping companies to GHG emissions laws and policies. For example, in the article there is elaborate statistical explanation on different shipping industry’s response to mitigation issues as well as that of the developing countries (MSC, 2014). This helps in the development of regulatory efforts based on perceived consensus on global reduction of GHG emissions from maritime transportation. For instance, the study reveals that in the IMO GHG study done in 2009, there was statistical indication that carbon emissions from maritime transport reached 870 million tonnes in 2007 which represents 2.7% of total global emissions. The study further projects the total emissions to increase by between 150-250% by 2050 incase no aggressive regulatory measures will have been ratified based on increasing trend of maritime transport services (Shi, 2014). The article gives an understanding on the urgency required in reduction of emission as per the global nature of shipping industry. There are also detailed explanations on the regulatory framework so far developed by UNFCCC and International Maritime Organization (MSC, 2014). The article also gives information on newly adopted energy-efficiency measures given by IMO as a representation of some advancements made towards mitigation of GHG emissions, from technical and operational activities in shipping. The information provided encourages implementation of mitigation policies by the shipping industry by mentioning a number of countries and their level of compliance to regulatory laws (MSC, 2014). For example, South Korea ship manufacturing industry is mentioned as supportive of principles from IMO since they adhere to implementing energy efficiency measures required for reduction of GHG emissions from ships. There is further inclusion on the extent to which basic principles in the international climate change regime by UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol has received drawback from technical perspective (MSC, 2014). Conceptual Framework The framework shows transportation activities that contribute to GHG emission in shipping. The conceptual framework identifies and classifies strategies used in reduction of emissions through the use of a strategic model. This model incorporates system efficiency and component efficiency elements necessary in examination of various avenues used in reductions of GHG emissions from shipping industry (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2006). However, for efficiency purposes the strategies are classified as those dealing with system processes and the other with components of the entire system. Shipping system strategies that ensure efficiency focuses on changes made in cargo weight for the purposes of reducing emissions (Karim and Alam, 2011). Such a strategy varies depending on activity levels at each port alongside activities on different maritime routes. Decrease in activities would ensure elimination of some operations, therefore, reduction in GHG emissions. Consequently, strategies dealing with efficiency in components entail technological changes that lead towards reductions of GHG emissions despite constant activities. Enhancement in technology will definitely increase machine efficiency; therefore, it will not be necessary to change structures and activity levels of the entire system (United Nations, 2005). Efficiency within the shipping system is enhanced through monitoring activities either the origin or destination by use of different innovations in the network. The network ensures flow of cargo between origin and destination over specified period of time. A change in the control table that determines departure or destination of ships will ensure reduction in number of shipping movements. Alternatively, congestion mitigation procedure can be used in reducing emissions since traffic is shifted in less congested ports. In some instances network efficiency is ensured through changes within activities of handling traffic in particular points. Several factors can be considered in this case which include the size of the ship, increase in load factors, rescheduling operations for the purposes of dealing with high shipping demand (Wallenius, 2006). Network efficiency can also be ensured by changes made in network structure such as elimination of intermediate ports in the process of shipping. On the other hand component efficiency strategies entail such aspects as ship efficiency, operational efficiency and use of eco-friendly fuels. In operational efficiency, the companies should focus on improving ports and operational activities along the journey (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2006). Efficiency of the Shipping System Efficiency of Components Fig 1: Conceptual Framework Political influences on these strategies are further considered for the reasons of facilitating various responses on regulations towards potential causes of GHG emissions. In this case, strategies considered to be of high reduction potential are shown as least feasible politically. This is since, concerned parties ascent to the idea that policies are created in small steps despite the urgency required. According to Smirti and Hansen (2007) a framework is required for the planning by large scale transportation systems. However, the maritime shipping presents some challenges to policymakers due to their dynamic and interregional transport network. The model of the Kyoto Protocol requires all sectors through understanding, to reduce their percentage of GHG emissions. Consequently, the framework strategies for reduction of GHG emissions as presented provide possibility for analysis of their impact. Most promising strategies can be identified through the given framework as well as adequate assessments on reductions. The efficiency elements used in this study represents projections from global rather than local level (Paixao and Marlow, 2002). The shipping companies should consider as a priority the standards of their professional operations and customer organizations’ Quality Control processes and procedures. The process on quality assurance mandates compliance with quality programs on actual Engineering, Operation, Testing and Evaluation of different shipping components (Wiedmann and Lenzen, 2007). References Black, T. R. 1999. Doing quantitative research in the social sciences: Anintegratedapproach to research design, measurement, and statistics. ThousanOaks,CA, SAGE Publications, Inc. Dai, X. 2010. Global Regime and National Change 10(6). Climate Policy 622-637 Expert Project Management. 2010.Case Study; Woody 2000 Project. Viewed from http://www.maxwideman.com/papers/woody2000/intro.htm Han, C. 2010. Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution in Shipping Industry. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 26(1), 007-030 IMO. 2011.Main Events in IMOs Work on Limitation and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International Shipping. Viewed from http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/resources/Pages/Greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.aspx Karim, S & Alam, S. 2011. Climate change and reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases from ships: an appraisal. Asian Journal of International Law, 1(1), 131-148 MSC. 2014. Shippers are not quibbling over Sulphur Surcharges. Viewed at http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/containers/article453707.ece Paixao, A.C., & Marlow, P.B. 2002. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Short Sea Shipping. Marine Policy, 26,167–178 Shi, Y. 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping: the response from Chinas shipping industry to the regulatory Initiatives of the International Maritime Organization. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 29, 77-115. Smirti, M., & Hansen M.2007.Achieving a Higher Capacity National Airspace System: An Analysis of the Virtual Airspace Modeling and Simulation Project. Presented at the AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference. Hilton Head, SC, USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Strauss, A., & Corbin, J.1990. Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques, London. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) .2006. Review of Maritime Transport. Report by the UNCTAD secretariat. New York and Geneva: United Nations United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). 2012.Review of Maritime Transport. Viewed from http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/rmt2012_en.pdf, at 46 United Nations.2005.Information on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International Aviation and Maritime Transport. Twenty-second Session 2005-5 (Bonn: Body for Scientific and Technological Advice) United Nations .1998. Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Viewed from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf, accessed on December 6, 2007 Wallenius, M. 2006. E/S Orcelle: Environmentally Sound Ship. Viewed from http://www.walleniusmarine.com/qse.jsp?art_id=120 Wiedmann, T., & Lenzen, M. 2007. Examining the Global Environmental Impact of Regional Consumption Activities-Part 2: Review of Input-Output Models for the Assessment of Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade. Ecological Economics, 61, 15-26 Read More