Global emissions of carbon dioxide from shipping are twice the level of aviation, one of the maritime industry's leading bodies told the BBC. A report by Intertanko, which represents the majority of the world's tanker operators, says emissions have risen sharply in the past six years.

Previous estimates by the International Maritime Organisation suggested levels were comparable with those of planes at around two percent of global CO2 emissions. However, Intertanko says its figures are the most realistic estimation of the current levels of emissions.

The maritime organisation says that growth in global trade coupled with ships burning more fuel to deliver freight faster has contributed significantly to an increase in emissions. Dragos Routa, the technical director of Intertanko, told the BBC that the levels of emissions had risen sharply.

As pro-aviation campaigners have previously pointed out, other industries from power generation to agriculture also generate more CO2 than planes. Perhaps now we'll see a climate camp near Felixstowe next year, or Penny Eastwood, the climate campaigner who regularly glues herself to airports, could glue herself to Southampton docks instead. We are not sure that it would make enough media friendly headlines though.