Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on climate change of (a) particulate matter effecting air quality and (b) greenhouse gasses created by ships whilst in port.

Assessment of the climate change and air quality impacts arising from shipping emissions are undertaken on both a national and international basis.

Nationally the UK’s National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory incorporates an assessment of emissions from ships, including those in port. The inventory includes both particulate matter and greenhouse gases. Additionally the Department published targeted research on shipping emissions in July 2019.

Internationally the UK provides fuel sales and consumption data to both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Maritime Organization, which informs international assessments of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. The UK has also provided financial support to the IMO to progress this work.