One Ocean, One Climate, One Future

Today is World Ocean Day, a moment to celebrate our blue planet and reflect on how to protect it. This is a crucial challenge for our future, as oceans and seas cover 70% of the Earth, and they are essential for our own existence. Our oceans are at the front line of climate change, as they are disproportionately impacted by increasing CO2 emissions from human activities.??

Globally ambitious efforts are needed to protect and restore our blue planet. When speaking about safeguarding our oceans, the first opportunity that comes to my mind is the decarbonisation of marine transport. Decarbonising this industry is both important and complex. As there is no one size fits all approach, we are partnering with customers to develop propulsion solutions for vessels, making them environmentally friendly and economically efficient. An example that makes me particularly proud is the electrification of Norway’s ferries, for which we have supported the transport company Bast? Fosen in building a new battery-operated ferry and in retrofitting two more ferries. With charging options on the quayside in Moss and Horten, more than 6 million liters of diesel will be saved every year, leading to a 75% reduction in annual CO2 emissions.?

This week the UN’s Climate Conference, in Bonn, aims to lay the groundwork for success at COP27. At Siemens Energy we know the scale and complexity of the challenge ahead and that we can’t do it alone. At COP26 we kept 1.5 alive, but only just. We need to act now, we already have the technology to deliver energy with a much lower greenhouse gas footprint, and this includes huge potential to decarbonise the marine industry. A study we have carried out, with the environmental non-profit organisation Bellona, shows we can significantly cut the CO2 emissions of the four biggest ferry fleets in Europe just by using proven technologies. This would save 800.000 tons of CO2 each year.?

Reducing emissions is key for our oceans, as they store 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere. If the current trends persist, we could face dramatic consequences. But to protect our blue planet, there is more to do than just curbing our emissions. Environmentally friendly propulsion systems inject in the water fewer particulate matters compared to traditional ones, lowering the pollution in the ocean. Besides that, these systems reduce vibrations and noises. This is usually considered a perk for passengers, as they can travel at sea more comfortably. However, if we look closely at this, we can easily see a positive impact in terms of sustainability as well. Many scientific studies are currently indicating that anthropogenic noise and vibrations, including the ones coming from vessels, can disrupt the marine ecosystem. Noise pollution can be just as harmful to the ocean environment as other kinds of pollution. The rise in commercial sea traffic over the years is urging us to address these concerns and adopt technologies to minimise our impact.??

Now more than ever, we need to act together to protect our seas and oceans. Only by taking bold and collective action will we determine our path to a healthier planet and a sustainable future that leaves no one behind.?

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