The ongoing discussions at the IMO (International Maritime Organization), which allocate and quantify fuel-related emissions, is stimulating a need for a fuel life cycle methodology. Today the climate impact of fuel use is regulated from a tank-to-wake perspective i.e., emissions created during fuel combustion and limited to CO2. However, fuels also carry a significant climate burden in the upstream part of the life cycle from activities such as feedstock and fuel production. Therefore, there is a need for a life cycle approach to regulating the climate impact of fuel use. This need is driving the demand for a standardized life cycle methodology.
The aim is to understand the regulatory landscape for regulating fuel use in the transport industry and the subsequent impact of regulatory reform on the marine industry. Moreover, the project wants to determine how to support the industry in this transition by developing a life cycle methodology.
The project is split into two phases, Phase one focuses on a the regulatory and stakeholder landscape. The aim is to conduct desktop research of regulatory instruments with LCA aspects to identify the methodological differences and evaluate different calculations, allocation methods and impact assessments used in regulation. Moreover, it is important to conduct stakeholder engagement activities, such as round tables or webinars in order to identify the position of the stakeholders in relation to climate risks and how these are mitigated in their businesses. Desired outcomes for the first phase would be an assessment of the regulatory landscape with respect to different life cycle methodologies, stakeholder analysis, identification of barriers, risks and opportunities on implementation of LCA tools, shaping a regulatory landscape for LCA and gaining insight into stakeholder perspectives.
Phase two focuses on method development and comprises of two work packages. Work package three aims to establish the tools needed by the industry to support a fuel life cycle methodology. Whereas work package four centres around method development. The resulting methodology can then be used to inform policy making in the maritime industry with a focus on developments at the IMO.