PROJECT PROPOSAL
EFFORTS OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY TOWARDS A ZERO CARBON
TRAJECTORY: THE GHANAIAN EXPERIENCE
Introduction
The 2020 Global Climate Change conference in Glasgow set a global tone for reducing carbon
emissions to its lowest level (a zero carbon). Prior to the current conference, in September 2015,
the UN adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 sustainable
development goals (SDGs) addressing global challenges that confront human societies including
adoption of clean energy practices and minismising climate change for sustainable growth.
However, recent developments of climate change and the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions globally have shown that global society must significantly intensify its efforts to
decarbonize the targeted economic sectors such as energy, agriculture, construction and transport,
in the future to limit the effects of climate change. Consequently, many global discussions and
high level dialogues have made it a priority to deliberate on measures to curb carbon emission in
the atmosphere. Decarbonization encompasses processes of eliminating carbon dioxide intensity
from energy sources by using technologies, life cycle assessment as well as mandatory and
voluntary measures to lower carbon dioxide emission (Levitt, 2010; Noussan et al, 2020). The
decarbonization initiatives conducted in various countries are closely associated with the SDG
Goal 13 “climate action” aiming to implement serious actions to combat climate change. A series
of targets of SDG Goal 13 were constructed to improve global environment conditions
encompassing (a) strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazard; (b)
integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; (c) improving
education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation,
adaption, impact reduction and early warning; (d) implementing commitment undertaken by
developed countries financially support developing countries to reduce greenhouse emissions; and
(e) promoting mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change related planning and
management in least developed countries and small island developing states.
The maritime sector is considered as one of the areas which can be looked at as a channel to achieve
the SDG 13 via adoption considerable measures of the SDG 7 goal within the global allocated
target period. This stems from the fact that achieving the zero carbon target stems meant taken
practical steps to analyse the inseparable role that the shipping industry plays in conveying 90%
of traded goods both raw materials and finished goods via the shipping supply chain. Despite the
sectors’ relevance to the global economy, ship transport and its allied activities serve as major
contributors to climate change and air pollution. The sector is responsible for about 3% of Global
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and around 15% of the world’s major air pollutants.
The Ghana Renewable energy policy is one of such efforts that has been introduced by the
government in increasing the amount of renewable energy options (solar, wind, Biomass, hydro
and hybrid mini-grids) in the national energy mix. Specifically, most of the renewable energy
interventions in Ghana are either being carried out as pilot projects or on short term planning cycle
basis. Thus, no clear integrated roadmap exists for the long-term development and promotion of
the different renewable energy resources in Ghana. During the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in 2021, the Ghanaian government has pledged to help in the global charge to finding
a better alternative. This project is therefore timing as a collaborative effort in help a developing
country like Ghana contribute its quota to the global fight against climate change thus a path to
zero-carbon shipping—encouraging short-term action to achieve the long-term goal.
Justification for the Project
This project is relevant considering the growing global concerns about climate change that have
necessitated a high-level conference in Glasgow, Scotland placing exigent call on all persons,
governments, researchers and environmental experts to adopt carbon reducing energy means in
and deliberate on some suggested options such as carbon capture and storage (CSS) techniques
and nuclear power. This project provides a more practical analysis through laboratory experiments,
feasibility analysis and policy solutions to advice energy experts their efforts towards efficient
climate change impact. In the broader context, this project will provide a short to long-term
alternatives that will be incorporated into Ghana’s renewable energy policy towards a zero carbon
trajectory before the set date thus 2030 and 2050.
Purpose of the Project
This project seeks to achieve the following aims
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To examine existing pre-conditions for different energy technologies used by shipping
fleets in Ghana.
To conduct laboratory examination of energy technology options utilised among shipping
fleets in Ghana.
To assess the feasibility in adopting the best energy technology option within the context
of the current renewable energy policy of Ghana.
To provide realistic renewable energy technology solutions to support energy efficiency
and reduction in emissions for the marine sector.
Methods
To achieve the above specific objectives, the project will be conducted in Ghana focusing on the
Maritime Sector with much emphasis on shipping vessels and clean energy options. This project
will first of all make in-depth examination and inquiry into all prevailing pre-conditions that affects
different fuel types as patronized by shipping fleets in Ghana. One of the team members who is an
expert in Engines and Machine will lead in the lab experiment in examining biomass fuel options
utilised among shipping fleets. The team will perform the experiment within the current conditions
that suits the prevailing conditions in Ghana. The team will also undertake feasibility analysis the
best energy option within the context of the current renewable energy policy of Ghana. This
feasibility analysis will be conducted taking into consideration the current renewable energy
deployment, waste-to-energy management and energy efficiency measures which the maritime
sector is a major player in achieving the zero carbon trajectory. The team will also draw inspiration
from other developing countries on realistic renewable energy solutions to support energy
efficiency and reduction of carbon emission from the Ghanaian maritime sector.
Personnel and Facilities
The project team comprises of three individuals. The team is led by an expert Engineer, Prof. Dr.Ing Rom Rabe from the Hochschule Wismar University, Germany. He is ably supported by a
Masters student, Miss Freda Aseye Bright from Hochschule Wismar University, Germany. She is
a final year student from the Department of Marine Studies. Mr. Pius Gamette will also provide
assistance to the Lead project manager and Miss Freda. The team will use the main Engineering
Laboratory at Hochschule Wismar University, Germany for the laboratory experiment. The field
work will be taken at the biggest shipping yard in Germany.
Evaluation
The laboratory results will be led by Prof Rabe thorough rigorous scientific experiments. In
addition, Miss Bright and Mr. Gamette will focus on the feasibility analysis of project interventions
and impact analysis of the clean energy options. The results of the project will be put in a
comprehensive report to inform the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and its allied bodies in
Ghana on a possible revision of the existing 2030 targets towards zero carbon emission.
Long term Project
In the long term, this project could also be piloted in other embryonic countries in sub Saharan
Africa to identify variations and specific needs of sub-regional groups and streamline policies in
the efforts to achieve zero carbon emission. The team will further collaborate with other
environment advocates and experts in the various countries to make the project a sustainable effort.
Conclusion
A successful completion of the project will greatly increase the use of improved clean energy
options that can be adopted in Ghana thus achieve zero carbonization. Thus, government will then
revise and streamline laws and energy options that will be geared towards a zero carbon trajectory.
At the end of the project, this study will reveal how feasible and reliable existing pre-conditions
and feasible available biomass fuel options fit into the comprehensive Ghana Renewable Energy
Policy framework are in the efforts towards carbonization. Ultimately, this project will establish a
basis for environmentalists, advocates and governments across the globe on the need to have a
critical look at activities in the Maritime sector towards a zero carbon trajectory.
Budget