IMO Calls for Shipping Climate Change Plan

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has commented on the latest draft UNFCCC text, which currently contains no explicit reference to international shipping, stating that it  would be helpful for the new agreement to reiterate the vital role of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the development of further measures to reduce shipping’s CO₂ emissions.

This would give extra encouragement to build on the global regulations IMO has already successfully adopted and which should reduce CO₂ per tonne-km 50% by 2050.

A big target, although it could be hard to reach after recent news that global shipping had been left off of the climate agenda.

World-leading shipping line Maersk has recently made a request for global shipping to be re-included in the discussions for reducing CO₂ emissions in the shipping sector.

Peter Hinchliffe, Secretary of the ICS, said: “While text on shipping could be useful, the negotiators are now having to focus on the really high level things like climate finance to ensure the overall agreement is a success, which is what everyone wants.

“The message from Paris is clear. Governments and society expect international shipping to play a full part in the reduction of CO₂ and we accept our responsibility to do this.

“We already have ambitious CO₂ reduction goals consistent with what is currently possible. As soon our member national shipowners’ associations have digested the full implications of the final UNFCCC agreement, ICS will be proactive with ideas for debate at IMO next year.”

In 2016, work will continue at IMO to finalise the adoption of global CO₂ reporting systems for ships as the first step in a process that is expected to lead to additional actions that could include a Market Based Measure (MBM). 

In addition, IMO has already agreed to have a discussion about CO₂ targets for international shipping, as requested by the Marshall Islands and supported by the European Union.

IMO, with its specialist expertise, is the best forum to have this important debate and ICS will participate constructively.