Methodology and application of ship CO2 indexing,
as described in this guideline, provides a transparent and recognized
approach for assessment of the GHG efficiency of a ship with respect
to CO2 emissions. These guidelines are considered applicable
for ship owners with an implemented environmental management system.
Implementation of the CO2 index in an established
environmental management system should be performed in line with the
implementation of any other chosen indicator and follow the main elements
of the recognized standards (planning, implementation and operation,
checking and corrective action, management review).
When
using the CO2 index as performance indicator, the index
should be given a perspective relative to absolute data and trend
data:
- The main indicator may be greenhouse gas emissions from energy
use.
- Absolute data may be total tonnes of annual CO2 emissions.
- The CO2 index may represent the normalized data (CO2 per
tonne mile).
- Trend data may be the index value compared with previous years.
Internal performance criteria and targets could be established
as a benchmark for the CO2 index.
Results from
monitoring and measurements could be reported to the management. A
management review may include the review of targets, objectives, and
CO2 index to establish the continued suitability in light
of changing environmental impact and concerns, regulatory developments,
concerns among interested parties, market pressures, internal changes/organizational
activity changes, and changes in the environment.
Communication
in an environmental management system includes the communication of
internal and external environmental information to management, and
the communication from management to others of their intentions regarding
environmental impacts. Communication could include procedures for
internal reporting as well as external reporting on environmental
activities of the organization.