Sustainable Shipping & Sustainable Future
“You have to plant a seed today for a greenery of tomorrow”
- J K M Nair
A short look of the SDG – Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations as on present day 2020. Tracing the origin and the interrelationship with shipping and IMO, the article takes you to see salient points of SDG as it forms as the theme for world maritime day celebrations under IMO. For complete article visit wmu.academia.edu/jkmnair
Every year the World Maritime Day (WMD) is celebrated in shipping and related industry to mark the contribution of international maritime industry towards the growth of world’s economy through the transportation of people, goods and material by ships. This is the 72nd year after IMO has been formed and this year the World Maritime Day is celebrated on 24th Sept 2020. Due to the Covid 19 situations this year the celebrations will be done online.
This paper takes a look at the origin of WMD and discusses this year’s theme of “"Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet". Some of the paragraphs in the history section is verbatim copy from my own document on WMD-2018, especially since there is no change in the statistics.
The theme gives IMO the opportunity to work with various maritime stakeholders towards achieving the SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals, to foster an environment of sustainable future that can fuel thriving economies across the world, spurs growth and development, and benefits everyone working in the global maritime community in the drive towards safe, secure, clean and sustainable shipping.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD- is a permanent inter-governmental body of United Nation, as part of the UN Secretariat and is situated at Geneva, Switzerland), states that around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent of global trade by value are carried by sea and are handled by ports worldwide.
Hence to tell the people of this world about the importance of shipping in their life each year World Maritime Day is celebrated on a specific theme that is most appropriate for shipping industry during the time. In general, issues such as Shipping safety, Maritime Security, Maritime Environment, Maritime Industry Potential, Ship related players, maritime people and the work carried out by IMO in the industry, are taken and deliberated to get solutions for existing major concerns and making clear to the world the impact of shipping to the national economy and world growth prospects.
The major aim for the “Sustainable Development Goals” by 2030 can be summerised to following 6 steps
1. Take steps to energy efficiency
2. Harness and look for new technology and innovate shipping
3. Concentrate on tomorrow’s mariners through proper maritime education and training
4. Enhance safety, security and maritime management
5. Develop better maritime infrastructure
6. Implement glob al maritime standards
And, all in all, move towards a green and sustainable global maritime transportation
Let us take a look at what is UN defining as sustainable development./12
Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet.
For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to harmonize three core elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. These elements are interconnected and all are crucial for the well-being of individuals and societies.
Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. To this end, there must be promotion of sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Additional information is available at UN site and you may also read some of my articles on the subject. Full paper is available to read or download at wmu.academia.edu/jkmnair.
