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Climate change is a defining issue of our era, with developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and small islands developing countries (SIDS), being the hardest hit.
Unequivocal and authoritative scientific evidence is now overwhelming and underscores the urgent need to face up to this global challenge.
Our globalized and increasingly interconnected world makes collective and concerted global action an imperative.
Climate change presents a significant challenge for freight transport, a sector growing in tandem with the world economy and trade. With 80 per cent of the volume of international trade being carried by sea, shipping - the cornerstone of globalized trade - has a role to play in addressing this challenge. At the same time, the effects of climate change and their implications for maritime transport - as well as for access to cost-efficient and sustainable international transport services - need to be properly understood to ensure that appropriate adaptation measures are taken. This is crucial given the special needs of the most vulnerable countries, namely LDCs and SIDS.
The current climate change negotiations, under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set to conclude in December 2009, provide a renewed opportunity for the international community to undertake meaningful commitments to combat climate change.
The challenge, however, is to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation policies that effectively integrate environmental as well as economic and social considerations.
Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping are currently not regulated, but the International Maritime Organization has recently intensified and expedited its work in the field, with a view to developing a binding international instrument, to be adopted under the UNFCCC in December 2009.
Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport and Trade Facilitation (16-18 February)
To support global efforts and to help "deliver as one" under the United Nations-wide system, the meeting provides a platform for informal discussions on how best to address the climate change challenge from a maritime transport perspective, while bearing in mind issues of interest to developing countries.
Key issues to be discussed include:
- Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping;
- Implications of climate change for shipping and transport infrastructure: the need for adaptation;
- Mitigation and adaptation options for ships and ports;
- The current state of play in terms of the relevant regulatory and institutional framework; and
- Cross-cutting issues, such as financing and investment, technology and energy security.
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I have taken to calling this a time of multiple crises. The economy. Volatile energy markets. War and humanitarian disasters.
