80 Every design choice represents an opportunity to build a future that is more protective of natural resources. To date, the sustainability discussions around passenger ships have focused mainly on fuel and emissions associated with their itineraries. However, a significant portion of the carbon footprint of newbuilds is in the form of embodied carbon from emissions associated with manufacturing and construction. The key GHGs emitted by human activities that cause warming of the atmosphere are carbon dioxide CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Although not a gas, black carbon also causes atmospheric warming. Of these, CO2 is by far the most abundant. Roughly 40 billion metric tons of CO2 are generated each year by activities including transportation, electrical generation, cement manufacturing, deforestation and agriculture.1 “Society’s expectation and regulation require that the maritime industry be fully sensitive to the environment through the reduction of harmful emissions, contamination of the seas and more efficient use of sustainable resources,” says the Royal Institute of Naval Architecture. “The thoughtful design and construction of marine vessels and structures can have significant influence in achieving these.”2 As ships reduce their fuel-related environmental impacts, the proportion of non-operational impacts will grow, potentially attracting greater regulatory attention. A circular approach to the design of products and services reduces environmental impact and facilitates future reuse, recovery and recycling. INTERNAT IONAL WI SDOM Cross-industry design priorities 1 Source: NOAA, NOAA Research News 2 Source: Royal Institute of Naval Architecture, Maritime Environment Group “ Roughly 40 billion metric tons of CO2 are generated each year by activities including transportation, electrical generation, cement manufacturing, deforestation and agriculture” NOAA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=