The Climate Question, The Climate Question, How can we cut the world’s shipping emissions?

The Climate Question

The Climate Question

How can we cut the world’s shipping emissions?

April 13, 2025

28 minutes

Available for over a year

As the UN's shipping body, the International Maritime Organization, meets to decide on a pivotal levy that will tax ships for using polluting fuels, host Graihagh Jackson and BBC Climate Reporter Esme Stallard discuss whether this will be enough to cut the industry's significant carbon emissions. From the Port of Rotterdam, we find out how the industry is already trying to reduce its carbon footprint. And are alternative shipping fuels really as green as it's claimed.

We dive into the issue, along with more of April's climate news. The BBC’s Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt speaks to one of COP30’s top officials, a new study on carbon-gobbling forests in China and the latest on India’s heatwave.

Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Esme Stallard

Producer: Beth Timmins

Editor: Sophie Eastaugh

Sound mixing: Tom Brignell

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown