Critics call for more UN measures to cut ship emissions

Critics call for more UN measures to cut ship emissions


On Thursday June 17, the UN shipping agency approved further measures to increase the energy efficiency of commercial vessels, although critics have said the move fell short of what was required to cut the industry’s carbon footprint.

The measures add to already approved energy efficiency regulations for new vessels and aim to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by 40 percent by 2030 compared with 2008 levels. 

The International Maritime Organisation formally implemented the rules to reduce the carbon intensity of existing ships after member states reached agreement on the plans at a virtual meeting this week. Nevertheless, some environmental campaigners said the new regulations which are set to take effect by January 2023, were insufficient.

Last week, IMO secretary general, Kitack Lim, said: “Failure is not an option. If we fail in our quest, it is not unreasonable to conclude that we run the risk of having unilateral or multilateral initiatives.” 

The European Union has pushed for tougher action at the IMO. In April, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington would join an international effort to achieve zero emissions in the global shipping industry by 2050. 

Jytte Guteland, who is part of the European delegation at the IMO, said they “gave the IMO all the opportunity and it was not taken.”

He added: “The outcome of this conference must be a signal to the European Commission that they need to create a very strong ETS. It is time for us to move forward.”

The IMO has said it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 50 percent from 2008 levels by 2050, but is under pressure to speed up action.

Brussels will propose policies to curb shipping emissions next month, with a plan to add the sector to the EU carbon market, or emissions trading system – requiring ships to buy permits when they pollute. This has elevated fears among some in the industry of additional regulation outside the IMO.

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21st June 2021