Shipping, aviation, construction, and heavy manufacturing will require new low-carbon fuels that are just now being developed. We must ensure their climate performance lives up to their promise.
If international shipping were a country, it would be among the world’s top carbon-emitting nations. And as the global economy grows, maritime emissions are projected to increase up to 50% by 2050.
Environmental Defense Fund is helping shippers, ports, and policymakers set bold emissions targets and create innovative solutions for long-term change. At the same time, we’re working to stimulate investment in clean alternative fuels for the shipping and aviation sectors.
Industries like concrete, steel, and heavy manufacturing which require large, concentrated heat sources are among the hardest to decarbonize. They may be strong candidates for alternative fuels like hydrogen, provided they are produced, transported, and used responsibly. That means avoiding leaks that can sharply undermine their climate advantage over fossil fuels.
If international shipping were a country, it would be among the world’s top carbon-emitting nations. And as the global economy grows, maritime emissions are projected to increase up to 50% by 2050.
Environmental Defense Fund is helping shippers, ports, and policymakers set bold emissions targets and create innovative solutions for long-term change. At the same time, we’re working to stimulate investment in clean alternative fuels for the shipping and aviation sectors.
“Our shipping and aviation industries are essential to the global economy and our modern way of life. We need clean, modern fuels that will help them provide the services we want and need while reducing their environmental harms.”
– Pedro Piris-Cabezas, Sr. Director of Global Transportation & Lead Sr. Economist
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) produced from a variety of sources could help fully decarbonize aviation by 2050. Our experts published the High-Integrity SAF Handbook to help fuel producers, airlines, policymakers, and investors accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuels using strong environmental safeguards and effective emissions accounting.
Industries like concrete, steel, and heavy manufacturing which require large, concentrated heat sources are among the hardest to decarbonize. They may be strong candidates for alternative fuels like hydrogen, provided they are produced, transported, and used responsibly. That means avoiding leaks that can sharply undermine their climate advantage over fossil fuels.
Hydrogen could be an important solution, but comes with challenges of its own. A 2022 study by Environmental Defense Fund concluded high leak rates could nullify the climate benefit of replacing traditional fossil fuels with hydrogen.
“This is not a place to rush blindly. Hydrogen systems must be carefully designed and managed effectively from end to end.”
– Dr. Ilissa Ocko, Sr. Climate Scientist and Lead Author of the study
Specialized and limited transitional use of fossil fuels for some industries may also support decarbonization goals if reliable carbon capture and storage applications can be deployed. We are applying decades of experience in energy systems, regulation, and measurement-based research to investigate the potential benefits and challenges of geologic carbon storage.
“Climate change is an all-hands-on-deck crisis, and we need to explore every potential emission solution.”
– Nichole Saunders, Director Sr. Attorney of Energy Outcomes for Climate and Communities
Because the hydrogen and carbon capture industries are still young, we have an opportunity to ensure investments in them will yield meaningful and reliable benefits for people and the planet.
The time to investigate new energy solutions is now, before billions are invested in new infrastructure that may create new climate and community risks.
