Green Hydrogen Alliance's Call for Action at International Maritime Organization Summit
Key Ideas
- African nations are advocating for a significant emissions levy at the International Maritime Organization summit to combat climate change.
- The shift to cleaner alternatives like green fuels made with renewable electricity, particularly green hydrogen, can help reduce emissions in the shipping sector.
- While green fuels are currently more expensive than traditional fuels, the development of large renewable energy facilities in Africa is expected to bring down costs.
- The introduction of a high emissions levy is seen as essential to incentivize the uptake of green fuels and support lower-income countries in their energy transition.
James Mnyupe and Cynthia Kariuki emphasize the importance of African nations' involvement in the International Maritime Organization's discussions on combating climate change through green initiatives. With a focus on reducing emissions in the shipping sector, the use of green fuels like green hydrogen is highlighted as a clean alternative. While liquefied natural gas and biofuels are currently utilized, there is a push towards utilizing renewable energy to produce green ammonia for propelling ships. The article underscores the necessity of a significant emissions levy to drive the adoption of green fuels, with Kenya's Climate Envoy proposing a levy range of $150 to $300 per tonne of emissions. The potential for Africa to become a significant producer of green hydrogen is also highlighted, with estimates suggesting the creation of millions of jobs and substantial green hydrogen production annually. The call to action from the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance stresses the importance of the IMO's role in ensuring the demand for green fuels to support a sustainable energy transition.