A sinking ship: don’t be fossil fooled by LNG

Ships are a key enabler of global trade, community re-supply, and economic activity, Ninety per cent of goods are transported globally by ship. Ocean shipping accounts for nearly three per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ranking sixth on a global GHG emitter scale. If left unchecked and unconstrained, GHG emissions from shipping could grow to 17 per cent by 2050. To decrease its reliance on heavily polluting fuels, the ocean shipping industry is considering increased use of the fossil fuel liquified natural gas (LNG). LNG can reduce particulate matter, such as SOx and NOx emissions. The climate impacts of LNG are of major concern. Elissama Menezes is the global director for the Say No To LNG coalition. Handout photograph A recently announced new global campaign called Say No To LNG aims specifically to address this major climate concern. Launching on April Fool's Day, it highlighted that investing in and using LNG to fuel ships is a fool’s errand. The campaign is urging policy-makers, ports, shipping owners and operators, and the finance community to rule out LNG as a marine fuel from all decarbonization pathways. With a global reach, the campaign has rapidly growing partnerships across North America, the Arctic, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and other regions. LNG is predominantly liquefied methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Methane has been shown to leak into the atmosphere when used in LNG ship engines. The full life-cycle emissions of LNG marine fuel must be accounted for, including upstream and downstream emissions of climate pollutants. In the first 20 years after it is released, LNG can trap over 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than conventional marine fuels. Its wide-scale deployment in the shipping sector would worsen our climate crisis exponentially in the coming years. Andrew Dumbrille is a Canadian campaigner for the Say No To LNG coalition. Handout photograph Using LNG as a marine shipping fuel would clearly jeopardize the ability to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and 1.5°C-aligned GHG emissions reductions. It would also pose significant financial risks in stranded assets, including LNG infrastructure and LNG-fuelled ships, as zero-emissions fuels and infrastructure quickly come online. Using LNG is also contrary to the Global Methane Pledge established at COP26 and signed by Canada. The pledge aims to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent between 2020 and 2030. LNG poses barriers to Canada’s regional and national climate targets, such as the reduction of methane emissions from oil and gas by 75 per cent relative to 2012 levels by 2030. Simply looking at the life-cycle emissions from LNG as a marine fuel demonstrates its incompatibility with an economy aligned with the 1.5°C warming limit. Taking into account broader health and social impacts makes it even more untenable. From a health, community and food security perspective, LNG and its methane emissions are associated with increased respiratory emergency room visits, and more than 200,000 premature deaths. Reducing methane emissions could also prevent more than 20 million tonnes of crop losses annually by 2030. Fracking for gas, as is done throughout Canada, impacts local air and water quality. In Canada, a study found high levels of harmful fracking chemicals in air and water samples close to households with pregnant women, and even higher levels close to the homes of Indigenous women. The shipping industry does not need LNG as a short-term solution to reduce its climate impact. Implementing operational and technological measures on ships can significantly reduce energy and fuel use; this minimizes GHG emissions while also improving resource-use efficiency. For example, cleaning the hull and propeller, and optimizing voyages, are some of the operational measures that can offer up to 15 per cent in fuel savings. Wind-assisted propulsion technology can deliver as much as 8 per cent efficiency gains. Speed reductions can have a significant impact on fuel consumption and reduced GHG emissions. These measures are widely available and feasible in the sector. LNG distracts Canada from a zero-emissions future, jeopardizing its commitments to a cleaner, prosperous economy. Canada needs a maritime decarbonization plan that aligns with the Paris Agreement, prioritizes and invests in green fuels and technologies, and addresses upstream impacts on community, infrastructure and the environment. This year can be the year we secure the foundations for a pathway towards shipping decarbonization. This can only be done by understanding that LNG is a foolish investment and the need to rapidly invest in a truly zero-carbon future. Elissama Menezes is the global director and Andrew Dumbrille is a Canadian campaigner for the Say No To LNG coalition. The Hill Times