Gold Standard releases two new shipping methodologies

Carbon registry Gold Standard has launched its Methodology for Reducing Methane Emissions from Combustion Engine Exhaust and its Methodology for Marine Fuels and Bio Bunkers, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of shipping operations.

The two new methodologies will add to Gold Standard's existing Retrofit Energy Efficiency Measures in Shipping methodology and Methodology for Emission Reduction by Shore-side or Offshore Electricity Supply System.

The Methodology for Marine Fuels and Bio Bunkers was developed by biofuels trading firm Alcom, and will serve as a guideline for obtaining carbon credits from the use of marine biodiesel blends. The methodology currently only applies to marine biodiesel blends comprising used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome), with a scope covering biofuel production to be used within the maritime industry across all sea vessel types and covering the entire chain of emissions on a well-to-wake basis. Only the biofuel component that has been loaded on to the vessel and blended with fossil fuels can be eligible for carbon credits under this methodology.

Gold Standard's Methodology for Reducing Methane Emissions from Combustion Engine Exhaust was developed in partnership with consulting group Fremco and technology company Daphne Technology. The methodology aims to reduce methane emissions stemming from maritime and stationary land-based internal combustion engines that utilise natural gas or other methane-rich fuels. It will also mandate real-time measurements before and after the abatement system to ensure "robust monitoring of emission reductions".

By Hussein Al-Khalisy