A group of NGOs is urging the UK Government to bring forward the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to cover international shipping emissions from 2028 to 2027.
In a joint letter released this week, the organisations argued that an earlier rollout would better align the UK with the European Union’s Emissions Trading System, which already includes international shipping emissions.
The letter said delaying implementation until 2028 would postpone investment opportunities and weaken efforts to create a level regulatory playing field between the UK and EU maritime sectors.
According to the signatories, advancing the measure by one year could generate around £574 million in additional revenue for the UK Government.
The groups said those funds could support maritime decarbonisation projects including shore power infrastructure at ports and development of a domestic green shipping fuel industry.
The letter also linked the issue to energy security concerns, pointing to disruption in oil markets following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Investing in the sector’s decarbonisation will help to improve national and energy security by reducing vulnerability to global geopolitical price and supply shocks,” the letter said.
The signatories argued that increasing the use of renewable fuels produced domestically could reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels while supporting industrial activity and jobs in UK coastal regions.
