ICCT Analysis: Methane Emissions from LNG-Fueled Ships More Than Doubled Since 2016

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Mfame Editor
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The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released a new report analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global shipping sector for the period spanning 2016 to 2023. This report builds upon a previous ICCT analysis that covered emissions from 2013 to 2015, utilizing updated and advanced methodologies to provide fresh insights into the maritime industry’s climate and environmental performance. 

Shipping Emissions In 2023

In 2023, global shipping emitted 911 million tonnes (Mt) of tank-to-wake (TTW) carbon dioxide equivalent emissions using 100-year global warming potentials (CO2e100), or 925 Mt using 20-year global warming potentials (CO2e20).

Of the CO2e100 emissions:

  • Approximately 86% were from international shipping.
  • Another 10% were from domestic shipping.
  • 4% were from fishing activities.

Between 2016 and 2023, global shipping’s share of anthropogenic CO2e100 emissions remained stable at 1.7%.

Growth In Emissions

From 2016 to 2023, global CO2e100 emissions from shipping increased by 12%, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 1.4%.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary disruption to the consistent rise in emissions from the shipping sector:

  • The year-on-year growth rate of global CO2e100 emissions was -3.2% between 2019 and 2020.
  • However, emissions rebounded with a growth rate of +3.2% between 2020 and 2021.

Methane Emissions

Of all the greenhouse gases (GHGs) analyzed, methane (CH4) emissions saw the largest increase between 2016 and 2023. This significant rise is attributed to the rapid adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.

Specifically, methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships were more than 2.5 times higher in 2023 compared to 2016. This surge is due to two key factors:

  • The number of LNG-fueled ships more than doubled during this period.
  • The use of LNG as a marine fuel grew by more than 80%.

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Source: International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)