91av

Environment

Cleaner shipping emissions may have warmed the planet – but only a bit

The shipping industry has significantly reduced its sulphur emissions since 2020, and in doing so has inadvertently contributed slightly to global warming

By James Dinneen

10 August 2023

Container Ship Vessel

Since 2020, sulphur emissions from container ships have fallen

Shutterstock/AurelioaPhoto

A drop in harmful sulphur emissions from global shipping is argued by some researchers to be a factor behind the record-breaking heat seen in 2023, particularly in the North Atlantic Ocean. While the drop has probably had only a very small warming effect on global average temperatures so far, it may have a more significant warming effect over coming decades.

To explain the unprecedented heat observed across much of the world in 2023, climate researchers point to two primary factors: the background warming trend due to rising concentrations of…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with 91av events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop