The Royal Navy is making strides towards creating one of the world’s greenest fleets, from infrastructure in dockyards, the technology on warships and the operations carried out around the globe.
New patrol ships HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, which are on long-term deployments to the Indo-Pacific, have catalytic reduction systems to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 97 per cent.
That makes the two sister vessels IMO Tier 3 Compliant, giving them freedom of maneuver in all emission control areas, and hence full global reach. To remind, the IMO members have agreed to cut shipping emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2050 compared to 2008 to tackle the challenges of climate change.
On the other hand, the Type 26 frigates have also eco-friendly features, so they will be painted with environmentally friendly, anti-fouling paint to limit marine growth.
They also underwent a hydrodynamic redesign to add speed without the need for larger engines.
The Queen Elizabeth Carrier Forward Logistics Centre in Portsmouth Naval Base has established many low-carbon initiatives. The centre draws its power entirely from the sun, power which drives not just lighting, heating and computer systems, but even the forklift trucks moving around inside.
The base is also the first ‘net zero’ carbon building in the navy.
Furthermore, the Royal Navy is also setting a sustainability standard for its serving warships. Before deploying on operations, every crew and their ship must meet the exacting standards of the Fleet Operational Sea Training teams based in Plymouth.
Adding to their already rigorous testing, from next year ships will be recognised if they meet sustainability standards under what will be known as the Green Pennant scheme.