Sustainability and Decarbonization: Global Goals and Türk Loydu's Contributions

Sustainability is an approach that acknowledges the limited nature of natural resources and aims to manage these resources in a way that meets the needs of future generations. Sustainability focuses on balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social welfare, making it a critical concept that needs to be integrated into today's industrial and economic structures. Sustainability is particularly associated with addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

Decarbonization is a crucial part of this process. Decarbonization refers to the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels. The goal of decarbonization is to minimize the carbon footprint of industrial activities, transportation, and energy production, making it vital in combating climate change.

Carbon Emissions: The Global and Sectoral Situation

Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a new peak in 2023, with approximately 36.8 billion tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere. This represents a 1.1% increase over the emissions from 2022. The majority of these emissions come from the energy, transportation, and industrial sectors:

• Energy Sector: In 2023, energy production accounted for 42% of total global CO2 emissions.
• Industrial Sectors: Global industrial activities were responsible for 24% of emissions. Steel, cement, and chemical production are among the most carbon-intensive sectors.
• Maritime Sector: In 2023, the maritime sector accounted for 3% of total global CO2 emissions (UNCTAD). The sector’s high dependency on fossil fuels continues, making the transition to sustainable alternatives critical.

International Organizations' Agreements and Goals

International organizations play a crucial role in setting long-term targets to reduce carbon emissions through global sustainability and decarbonization processes.

1. IMO's 2050 Targets The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transportation. This strategy includes:
2. European Commission and European Green Deal The European Commission aims for Europe to become a net-zero greenhouse gas continent by 2050 under the European Green Deal. The goal is to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030, with policies like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of imported products.
3. United Nations (UN) and the Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 under the United Nations, aims to limit global temperature increases to below 2°C, ideally capping it at 1.5°C. Countries that are party to the agreement are implementing national plans to reduce carbon emissions as part of their sustainable development goals. The UN fosters cooperation between nations and provides financial and technical support to combat climate change.

Classification Societies as an Integral Part of the Sustainability Ecosystem

Classification societies are not only responsible for the safety and technical compliance of ships but also play an active role in transitioning to sustainable measures in maritime activities. They develop and implement solutions that reduce environmental impacts and protect ecosystems.

• Setting and Enforcing Standards Classification societies ensure the implementation of technical and operational measures designed to minimize the safety and environmental impacts of ships, marine vessels, and other engineering projects. These measures include fuel efficiency, emission limits, waste management, and energy efficiency criteria that support sustainability. In particular, they ensure the implementation of sustainability-focused regulations such as the IMO's Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
• Environmental Risk Assessment Classification societies participate in the assessment of the potential environmental impacts of new ships or projects. This assessment helps minimize environmental risks in shipbuilding, fuel usage, and operational processes. This includes audits of applications that protect marine life and waste management systems.
• Promotion of Technological Innovation Sustainability is not only about improving existing systems but also about developing new technologies. Classification societies encourage the development and use of alternative fuels (e.g., LNG, ammonia, hydrogen), renewable energy systems (e.g., solar and wind-powered vessels), and energy-efficient technologies. The safety and compliance of these technologies are approved through classification processes.
• Sustainability Reporting and Auditing Classification societies conduct independent audits to assess the extent to which businesses meet their sustainability goals. These audits measure the environmental footprint of ships and businesses and provide feedback for improving sustainability performance. They also ensure that businesses operate in an environmentally responsible manner through regular audits.
• Ensuring Compliance with Regulations Classification societies monitor compliance with national and international regulations regarding the sustainability requirements of ships and facilities. Environmental regulations such as IMO’s rules on marine pollution, regional inspection regimes like Paris and Tokyo MOUs, and carbon emission targets are integrated into audits conducted by classification societies.
• Training and Awareness Classification societies organize training programs and workshops to raise awareness among maritime industry professionals about sustainable operations. This helps promote environmentally friendly practices in the industry.

Türk Loydu's Contributions to the Sustainability Process

Türk Loydu makes significant contributions to sustainability through various certification and classification services for the maritime and industrial sectors. These services range from ship safety to environmental management systems, supporting environmental responsibility and sustainability goals.

• Ship Classification Ship classification is a critical process that ensures ships are built and operated in accordance with international safety and environmental standards. Türk Loydu conducts audits throughout the design, construction, and operation phases to ensure energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and operational safety. These audits play a key role in achieving sustainability in the maritime sector by directly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions through energy-efficient and environmentally friendly ship designs.
• ISM (International Safety Management Code) ISM certification guarantees the safe and environmentally friendly management of ships and maritime operations. Türk Loydu’s ISM certification service audits the compliance of ships and maritime companies’ safety and environmental management systems with international standards. This certification enhances operational safety while minimizing environmental risks.
• ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) ISPS certification aims to improve maritime transportation and port security while minimizing environmental risks. Through ISPS certification, Türk Loydu ensures security in the maritime sector and supports environmental sustainability goals. Audits conducted at ports and ships increase environmental safety and support sustainable port operations.
• MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) MLC certification plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of workers in the maritime sector and ensuring social sustainability. Türk Loydu provides MLC certification services, ensuring the welfare of ship crews and promoting human rights-compliant, sustainable working environments. This contributes to both environmental and social sustainability in the maritime sector.
• Verification of Greenhouse Gas and Water Footprints Türk Loydu offers services to verify carbon and water footprints, helping businesses improve their environmental performance and meet their sustainability goals:

Certification of Management Systems

• ISO 50001 Energy Management System Certification: Energy management involves structured and organized efforts to ensure energy is used efficiently without compromising production volume, product quality, safety, or environmental conditions. The ISO 50001 energy management system standard sets rules for continuous improvement of energy consumption, regardless of the energy type. ISO 50001 helps establish a management system to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions through effective energy management systems and procedures.
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification: The ISO 14001 environmental management system helps organizations develop, implement, and achieve a successful environmental policy to pass on a cleaner and more livable environment to future generations. ISO 14001 requires identifying and controlling environmental impacts, as well as implementing pollution prevention activities. It is the most widely preferred environmental management system standard in the world.

Türk Loydu's Participation in IACS and IMO

Türk Loydu, as a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) since 2023, contributes to the development and implementation of global sustainability standards. Membership in IACS enables Türk Loydu to take an active role on a broader platform in the international maritime sector.

In addition, Türk Loydu works closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and develops strategies in line with IMO's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. These strategies include promoting zero-carbon fuels, implementing energy efficiency practices, and encouraging the development of innovative technologies in ship operations