John Kerry Advocates for Climate Leadership at Nor-Shipping Panel

Former US secretary of state John Kerry delivered a powerful message of climate leadership during a high-profile panel at Nor-Shipping yesterday. He shared the stage with Andrew Forrest, chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners. The session focused on the intersection of energy policy and maritime decarbonisation, highlighting the crucial role of the maritime sector in the global climate response.

Kerry reaffirmed that the US, despite political turbulence in recent years, remains a committed player in the global transition to renewables. He highlighted that 90% of new electricity in the US now comes from renewables. Despite the US formally exiting the Paris Agreement under the current administration, Kerry emphasized that “the American people stayed in.”

Using Texas as an example, a Republican-led state that is the biggest producer of wind energy in America, Kerry emphasized how climate progress transcends partisan divides. He urged for continued momentum in the transition to cleaner energy sources, stating, “We have to keep pushing forward and not get distracted by noise or foolishness.”

Kerry also criticized politicians who undermine international climate accords for political gain, calling it “political posturing at its lowest common denominator” and highlighting the dangers it poses to the country’s standing in the world.

Turning to maritime matters, Höegh Autoliners CEO Andreas Enger welcomed the growing regulatory clarity around decarbonisation. He noted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is shaping global demand for cleaner fuels, aligning policy with industry ambitions.

Andrew Forrest, a vocal advocate for green hydrogen, emphasized the need for bold action and dismissed LNG as an alternative fuel. Kerry closed the panel with a call for global cooperation across sectors, recognizing the maritime industry’s frontline role in addressing climate change.