Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps he has taken to reduce emissions of (a) sulphur dioxide, (b) nitrogen oxides and (c) particulate matter in the shipping industry.

The Government has taken a leading role at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to both secure improvements in UK air quality, and to ensure that the IMO’s global requirements for marine fuel enter into force later this year.

On 1 January 2020 the IMO’s global 0.5% limit on sulphur in marine fuel will enter into force, the UK has played a significant role in both supporting this limit, and working with industry to develop guidance to ensure it enters into force effectively.

On 1 Jan 2021, following work undertaken at IMO by the UK and neighbouring states, the North Sea and English Channel will become a Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions Control Area, applying the highest levels of NOx controls available under international maritime law.

The Government is also active at the IMO in an ongoing work programme to quantify and ultimately regulate emissions of black carbon (a major constituent of particulate matter) from international shipping.