Editorial Board

Shipping Is Part of the Climate Problem

Every sector should pull its weight in addressing climate change.

Sea lanes need hybrids, too.

Photographer: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

When almost all the world's governments agreed in Paris more than two years ago to address climate change, they sidestepped an important issue: carbon emissions from international shipping. Next week in London, they have a chance to put this right.

Shipping is by far the most energy-efficient mode of transport, and it moves some 80 percent of world trade by volume. However, the fuel it uses is hard on the environment and human health -- and ships last a long time, so deploying cleaner fleets takes time.