NYK Disseminates Its Decarbonization Initiatives at COP29

NYK Group Takes Major Steps in Fighting Climate Change at COP29 in Azerbaijan

The NYK Group, a major international shipping company, took part in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. This conference brought together national governments, businesses, and organizations from all over the world to discuss how to tackle climate change and reduce global warming. NYK Group focused on making international shipping more eco-friendly, shared its actions and plans to reduce its environmental impact.

At COP29, several events were held by countries and industry groups to share information about how they are helping to fight climate change. One of the key moments for NYK Group was when Akira Kono, the company’s executive vice president and chief of their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Strategy Headquarters, spoke at the Japan Pavilion. Kono, who has been leading NYK’s efforts in environmental sustainability, discussed the challenges the shipping industry faces in reducing carbon emissions. He shared NYK’s goals and ongoing projects aimed at cutting down the pollution caused by ships.

The panel discussion at the Japan Pavilion was streamed online, allowing people from all over the world to watch and learn about NYK’s green initiatives. This helped spread the message to a much wider audience beyond the conference venue. NYK’s participation at COP29 was an opportunity for the company to exchange ideas, gather valuable feedback, and connect with other organizations and people who share the goal of a sustainable future.

NYK’s Actions and Goals for a Greener Future

At COP29, Akira Kono discussed the progress NYK Group is making towards achieving its decarbonization goals. This includes new targets set in the NYK Group Decarbonization Story, released in November 2023. One of the major projects is the completion of a tugboat that runs on ammonia fuel, which is considered a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels. In addition, NYK is pushing for greater use of biofuels and working to improve the energy efficiency of its ships.

Kono also took part in a special seminar called “Creating Future: Our Approach to Decarbonized Society,” organized by Nikkei Inc. On November 19, he talked about these initiatives with other experts, including Yukari Takamura, a professor from the University of Tokyo, and Kiyoshi Ando, a senior writer at Nikkei Inc. They discussed the challenges of moving from the planning stage to actual implementation of decarbonization plans.

Another important event was on November 21, when Kono participated in a panel titled “Path to 1.5°C Target: Japanese Non-State Actors Taking on Challenge of Decarbonization.” The panel was organized by the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) and focused on Japan’s efforts to reach the global climate target of limiting the rise in temperature to 1.5°C. As a global shipping company, NYK pointed out the need for international rules that go beyond national boundaries to help the industry as a whole reduce its emissions. Kono emphasized that collaboration between countries, businesses, and stakeholders is necessary to achieve these ambitious climate goals.

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NYK’s Role in Climate Research and Technology

At the Japan Pavilion, NYK also highlighted its involvement in innovative technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the main displays was about satellite-based monitoring technology for tracking GHG emissions from ships. This technology is being developed by Arc Edge Space Inc., in partnership with NYK Group. The aim is to use satellites and ground sensors to detect and analyze environmental changes, including GHG emissions from ships.

One of the key projects displayed was the results of a remote sensing experiment, which looked at how GHG emissions change when ammonia is mixed with fuel oil in ships. This experiment, led by NYK with the help of several partner companies, aims to understand how ammonia can be used as a cleaner fuel for ships. The data collected from this research will help ensure that the shipping industry can measure and reduce its emissions more effectively.

The use of satellite technology for monitoring emissions is a critical part of NYK’s commitment to transparency and sustainability. By using third-party satellite data to track emissions, NYK is ensuring that the shipping industry is held accountable for its environmental impact. This is an important step as many companies are working to reduce their Scope 3 GHG emissions, which include emissions from transporting goods.

Conclusion

NYK Group’s involvement in COP29 in Azerbaijan shows the company’s dedication to addressing climate change and making the shipping industry more sustainable. By focusing on decarbonization projects, such as ammonia-powered ships and biofuels, and supporting cutting-edge technologies like satellite monitoring, NYK is helping lead the way toward a greener future. The company’s active participation in international events like COP29 will help them build stronger partnerships and contribute to the global effort to reduce climate change.