WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden Administration released its Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation Action Plan, which outlines the ways the U.S. maritime sector can transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. It is one of eight sector specific action plans that will be produced as a follow up to the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, which was released in January 2023. Ocean Conservancy’s shipping emissions team, alongside other partners, worked closely with the Administration to help refine the plan. Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s U.S. Policy Manager for Shipping Emissions, issued the following statement in response:

“With millions of people in portside communities across the country forced to breathe dirty air produced by the shipping industry every day, we need to take dramatic action to clean up this sector. Ocean Conservancy is excited to see the Administration put forth this Maritime Action Plan, which provides the U.S. with a roadmap to continue to be a leader in the future of this industry. 

“While the plan is not as ambitious as we would like, it lays an important foundation for more bold action in the future. The plan comes at a moment of uncertainty surrounding U.S. emissions reduction, but Ocean Conservancy is committed to working with future administrations, industry members and ports, and anyone else who wants to help protect our ocean and our health. Together we can implement these policies and keep the U.S. leading the transition of this critical sector.”

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Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.