Black Carbon Emissions:
With Arctic summer ice reaching its 12th lowest ever extent, the Clean Arctic Alliance has called for urgent cuts to black carbon emissions from shipping, ahead of the 77th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting (MEPC 77) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in November.
About the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC):
- In order to ensure that a proactive stance is taken by in order to protect and safeguard the interests of the marine environment and ecosystem, the IMO has established the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
- The committee seeks to provide a solution for the problem of air pollution caused by the constant and heavy traffic of ships in the oceanic areas.
- The committee in its sessions also seeks to provide required revisions to the existing MARPOL stipulations and guidelines.
- The creation and enforcement of PSSAs (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas) and other special oceanic zones is also an area that is looked into by the environment protection organisation.
Black carbon results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. BC is produced both naturally and by human activities as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass.
- Primary sources include emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.
- It is a short-lived pollutant that is the second-largest contributor to warming the planet behind carbon dioxide (CO2
