Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) verification Aviation, Airports, Shipping Verifavia

1. What initiatives to address maritime emissions did the Commission propose in June 2013?

The European Commission adopted in June 2013 a Communication setting out a strategy for progressively including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from maritime transport in the EU's policy for reducing its overall GHG emissions.

2. Why is action needed to reduce maritime shipping emissions?

While shipping is more fuel-efficient than other transport sectors, its GHG emissions are
significant and growing fast.

3. Why is the Commission proposing measures at EU level, not internationally?

The European Union and its Member States have consistently supported ambitious
international action to address climate change.

4. What does the Commission's progressive approach to addressing maritime emissions consist of?

The strategy set out in the Communication consists of three consecutive steps. The firs one is the system of MRV of emissions proposed in June 2013.

5. What are the costs and benefits of the proposed MRV system?

The Commission's analysis of the proposal shows the MRV system will be economically profitable for the shipping sector.

6. What are the expected impacts on trade?

As the MRV system is expected to trigger efficiency gains, maritime transport costs would
decrease compared with business as usual.

7. What journeys will be covered by the monitoring and reporting obligations?

The application of the MRV rules will follow the principles of international maritime law in
that it will be applied in a non-discriminatory manner to all ships regardless of their flags.

8. What obligations will the Regulation impose on ship owners, and by when?

The monitoring and reporting obligations will apply by calendar year.

9. Are non-EU ships also covered? What about small ships?

The Regulation will cover all types of ships above 5000 gross tons with the exception of
certain categories of ships.

10. What types of data will be collected?

The primary objective is to collect data on CO2 emissions, which will help raise the sector's
awareness of its contribution to climate change.

11. When will the Regulation enter into force?

The proposal will be discussed by the European Parliament and Council under the codecision procedure.

12. What if IMO adopts a global framework for maritime emissions?

The likely timeline for the Regulation's adoption leaves ample opportunity for the IMO to
make progress before the EU rules come into force.

13. What are the expected emissions reduction and costs?

The MRV system is expected to cut CO2 emissions from the journeys covered by up to 2%.

14. What are the allowed methods to calculate fuel consumption?

Actual fuel consumption for each voyage shall be used and be calculated using one of the
four allowed methods.

15. What are the other relevant information that must be collected?

According to Articles 9 and 10 of the legislative proposal, other relevant information shall be collected in addition to the fuel consumption.

16. What is the law of the sea?

'Law of the sea & International Maritime Trade' figure by Norwich University

17. What is the role of the verifier?

The approval of monitoring plans, the verification of emission reports, the communication with shipping companies and the issuance of compliance certificates would be the responsibility of accredited independent third party verifiers such as Verifavia.

F.A.Q. - EU Monitoring, Reporting & Verification (MRV)