NGOs expressed disappointment with the outcome of IMO MEPC 80 meeting, saying it does not do enough to slash shipping’s GHG emissions, while marine stakeholders see it as setting clear goals for net-zero targets
While IMO’s MEPC 80 meeting drew a standing ovation from those in attendance, because of the adoption of a revised strategy setting out the ambitions for international shipping to reach net zero by or around 2050, not everyone was cheering the outcome.
Clean Arctic Alliance was dismayed by IMO’s revised GHG reduction strategy that was approved during the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London, during 3-7 July. “IMO member states had a unique chance to show global leadership by curbing the shipping sector’s impact on the climate and the Arctic by slashing greenhouse gas emissions – but have instead opted for a bland, and weaker version of their earlier ambitions,” said Clean Arctic Alliance lead advisor, Dr Sian Prior. Dr Prior noted that the revised strategy also failed to include black carbon, which contributes around one-fifth of shipping’s climate impact.
“The outcome of the MEPC 80 meetings proved that IMO is a serial procrastinator”
The NGO makes it clear IMO is not doing enough to regulate international shipping’s environmental impact, which produces about 3% of global GHG emissions, and align to meet the 1.5 °C target of the Paris agreement on climate change.
Dr Prior said the outcome of the MEPC 80 meetings proved that IMO is “a serial procrastinator”.
Marine industry stakeholders, such as the World Shipping Council, however, did not see it that way, with the liner organisation president and chief executive, John Butler, hailing IMO’s Revised GHG reduction strategy as “a new beginning for shipping’s energy transition, with clear goals and milestones.” Mr Butler added: “There is much to do, and carriers are eager to continue the work together with regulators, fuel providers and technology providers to reach our shared climate targets.”
So, what were the outcomes of IMO’s revised GHG reduction strategy?
Besides setting ambitions for net-zero by or about 2050, the strategy lays out “indicative checkpoints” for international shipping. The first of these checkpoints is 2030, when total annual GHG emissions from international shipping will be reduced by at least 20%, striving for 30%, compared with 2008. The second is 2040, when total annual GHG emissions from international shipping will be reduced by at least 70%, striving for 80%, compared with 2008.
The strategy also outlines ambitions to increase the uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emissions technologies, fuels and energy sources, with goals of reaching at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030.
MEPC adopted guidelines on the lifecycle GHG intensity of marine fuels for consideration and adoption. These guidelines allow for the well-to-wake calculation, including the well-to-tank and tank-to-wake emission factors, of total GHG emissions related to the production and use of marine fuels.
Biofuel use received improved clarity, with the approval of a MEPC circular on interim guidance on their use under regulations 26, 27 and 28 of MARPOL Annex VI.
Papers were submitted for three new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) at MEPC 80. These were for the Canadian Arctic, Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Norwegian coast not covered by previous ECAs. Formal proposals for these ECAs are expected to be submitted at MEPC 81 in April 2024.
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