UN Global Compact Brazil Launches Guide to Accelerate Maritime Decarbonization

The UN Global Compact Network Brazil has released the first version of a guide aimed at accelerating port and maritime decarbonization in Brazil. Developed by the Ocean Business Working Group, linked to the Water and Ocean Action Platform, the guide is the country’s first corporate hub designed to drive the energy transition of ports and maritime transport.

Launched online, the guide provides a comprehensive overview of global discussions on decarbonization in the port and maritime sectors. It highlights the main challenges of this agenda and explores opportunities, particularly for Brazil, which has the potential and resources to strategically position itself in this scenario.

Fernanda Sossai, head of Port Development at the Port of Açu and leader of the Working Group, presented the guide at the SDGs in Brazil 2024, the world’s largest corporate sustainability event in Brazil, held on September 20th at the UN headquarters in New York.

The maritime transport sector plays a crucial role in global trade and is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 3% of global emissions, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO has set targets to reduce these emissions, aiming for a 30% reduction by 2030, 80% by 2040, and net-zero emissions by 2050. If mitigation measures are not adopted, emissions associated with maritime transport could increase by 50% to 250% by 2050. In Brazil, with a coastline of 7,367 km, the so-called blue economy accounts for approximately 19% to 21% of the national GDP (FGV, 2018). Additionally, approximately 95% of Brazilian exports are carried out by sea, according to data from the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES).

“The transition to a zero-emissions economy in the maritime and port sector is not only an urgent environmental necessity but also an opportunity to ensure a just and inclusive transformation,” said Carlo Pereira, CEO of the UN Global Compact Network Brazil, who emphasized: “The future of maritime transport in Brazil will be shaped by the decisions made today.”

The Guide is the result of over a year of dedication by the Ocean Business Working Group, which was established in July 2023 with 60 participating companies and is part of the agenda of the Ocean Stewardship Coalition, led by the Global Compact’s ocean team based in Norway, and will be managed by the Brazil Network. In 81 pages, the material lists the main challenges and opportunities for the sector, such as decarbonization ecosystems for ports and alternative fuels. “Brazil has been exploring various technological routes in search of alternative fuels for maritime transport, such as biodiesel and HVO, green diesel, ethanol, and methanol. The choice of the best alternative will depend on several factors, such as costs, energy density, available technologies, hazardousness, availability of refueling infrastructure, and application for different types of vessels and routes, among others,” explained Rubens Filho, executive manager of Environment at the Brazilian network of the Global Compact. “And each of the fuels must be analyzed for its advantages and disadvantages in performance and environmental impact, according to its use.”

“The port sector has an unprecedented opportunity to be the lever for improving efficiency and sustainability of industries in response to the challenges posed by climate change. Investing in sustainable technologies and practices, improving the resilience of operations, and adopting renewable energy solutions will position ports as competitive means for energy transition and climate adaptation. By establishing ourselves as energy hubs, we, as a port-industry, have a fundamental role in the transition of the maritime sector and for hard-to-abate industrial sectors,” emphasized Eugenio Figueiredo, CEO of the Port of Açu.

The Guide also presents national and international cases, a set of recommendations, and an analysis of decarbonization on the government agenda. The UN Global Compact Network Brazil wants to expand the Working Group to build joint solutions and exchange experiences among actors involved in the maritime and port industry. The intention is to provide a space for pilot projects and innovations to take place.

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