As part of its Environmental Recognition Program, the Panama Canal has unveiled a new tool to centralize shippers’ emissions data and incentivize the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.
The Emissions Calculator will offer shippers the most accurate assessment of their carbon emissions, rank those who have reduced the most emissions by transiting the Canal versus alternate routes, and encourage action to cut emissions, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said.
“The Panama Canal has always been committed to reducing its carbon footprint and impact on the environment,” Jorge L. Quijano, Panama Canal Administrator, said.
“This new tool allows us to bring that same commitment to our customers, giving them the information needed to make a more informed and environmentally conscious decision when planning their routes,” Quijano added.
Panama Canal Environmental Specialist Alexis Rodriguez explained that the Emissions Calculator will work by leveraging technology already aboard the world’s maritime fleet to capture an array of data on shippers.
Data will then be centralized in the CO2 Emissions Reduction Ranking, a platform which ranks customers by those with the fewest emissions each month.
Beyond shippers, the calculator will help the Panama Canal reduce its own carbon footprint as well. The waterway will use the Emissions Calculator to measure and track emissions from its domestic day-to-day operations and support the planning of a low carbon strategy that will be used to establish a roadmap for the Panama Canal to become a “Carbon Neutral” entity.