IMO members vow ships emission cut
IMO Member States adopt midterm measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships in late 2025
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Daily TribuneIMO Member States adopt midterm measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships in late 2025
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Representatives and officials of the International Maritime Organization convened last 21 February in London, United Kingdom, to tackle negotiations for new binding measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported that its member states have expressed willingness to continue exploring common ground in negotiations for new binding measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from international shipping.
In an email to the DAILY TRIBUNE, the IMO communications team in London said international efforts to curb GHG emissions from shipping took a step forward as the IMO’s Intersessional Working Group (IWG) on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 18) concluded its latest round of discussions last 21 February.
The IMO’s 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy commits Member States to adopt mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships in late 2025, including a technical element, namely a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of a marine fuel’s GHG intensity; and an economic element, based on a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism.
Also, the IWG continued discussions on proposals for those mentioned mechanisms, using the draft text for an “IMO net-zero framework” agreed at the last meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 82 as the basis.
“This draft text integrates inputs and proposals from Member States and international organizations on possible amendments to be made to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, Annex VI). These amendments, if adopted, would incorporate the proposed mid-term measures into the treaty, which has 107 parties representing 97 percent of world merchant shipping tonnage,” the IMO communication report read.
The IMO said the discussions aimed to further develop and streamline the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.
Key topics covered include global marine fuel intensity regulations, the economic mechanism’s structure, organizational and operational aspects of the proposed “IMO Net-Zero Fund,” revenue disbursement, and potential food security impacts.
“The Working Group agreed to keep all proposals for an economic element (GHG emissions pricing mechanism) under consideration and acknowledged potential “bridging options” suggested by some Member States. Efforts will continue toward defining amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that could achieve consensus approval at the next session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) on 7-11 April 2025,” according to the IMO.
Moreover, delegations from various countries reaffirmed their commitment to continue exploring possible ways to converge their positions and find common ground.
As of September 2024, the IMO has 176 member states, including the Philippines.
