# Reduction Potential of Gaseous Emissions in European Ports Using Cold Ironing
## 2 General Approach to Maritime Decarbonization  
As a follow-up to the Paris Agreement on global climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) issued in 2015, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) target of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050 for the shipping sector followed in 2018. The IMO deal represents a significant shift in climate ambition for a sector that accounts for 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. It means a minimum greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction of at least 50% from 2008 levels by 2050 with a strong emphasis on increasing the cut towards 100% by 2050 if this becomes technically possible. The deal signals to the industry, and investors in general, that a clear switch away from fossil fuels is now decided. It means that ocean-going vessels built in the 2030s will no longer be dependent on fossil fuels only, and ships built in the 2020s will likely switch progressively to non-fossil fuels and alternative power sources. At the port level, actions in favor of environmental sustainability are increasing in number and effectiveness, as depicted in [4] by connecting these actions with the UN SDG. More recently, adopted in July 2023 as part of the Commission's Fit for 55 legislative package to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation [5] promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships, essential to supporting decarbonization in the sector. It sets maximum limits for the yearly average GHG intensity of the energy used by ships above 5000 gross tonnages calling at European ports, regardless of their flag. Targets will ensure that the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels used in the sector will gradually decrease over time, starting with a 2% decrease by 2025 and reaching up to an 80% reduction by 2050. Those targets will become more ambitious over time to stimulate and reflect the necessary developments in technology and the uptake in the production of renewable and low-carbon fuels. The targets also cover methane and nitrous oxide emissions over the full life cycle of the fuels used onboard on a Well-to-Wake basis. The regulation also introduces additional zero-emission requirements for ships at berth--mandating the use of on-shore power supply or alternative zero-emission technologies in ports by passenger ships and containerships--with a view to mitigating air pollution emissions in ports, which are often close to densely populated areas. Moreover, in June 2024, the directive [6] clearly states that \"Member States shall provide the necessary legal framework to facilitate the connection to the distribution networks of public and private access recharging points with smart charging and bi-directional charging functionalities in accordance with Article 20a of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Member States shall ensure that distribution system operators cooperate on a non-discriminatory basis with any undertaking owning, developing, operating or managing charging points for electric vehicles\". This is also applicable to the grid connection of ships in ports. By taking a life cycle, goal-based, and technology-neutral approach, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation allows for innovation and the development of new sustainable fuels and energy conversion technologies, offering operators the freedom to decide which fuels to use based on ship-specific or operation-specific profiles. The regulation also provides for different flexibility mechanisms, supporting existing fleets in finding suitable compliance strategies and rewarding first-movers for early investment in energy transition. It will enter into force completely from January 2025. Within this framework, it is more than natural that ports are increasingly interested in sustainable practices and their adoption to align themselves with the SDG within their area of responsibility. Today, shipping is responsible for a significant amount of CO2, NOx, SOx, and PM pollution and is estimated to be responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.