Clean Arctic Alliance calls on IMO to adopt 'ambitious interim targets' to cut emissions from shipping

The Clean Arctic Alliance has called on IMO member states to adopt high interim targets to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 2030.

Photo: Oil tanker with a smoke trail. Getty Images

“During MEPC 80 (IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee 80th meeting), governments can change the world by slashing shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 – and 100% by 2040”, Clean Arctic Alliance’s lead advisor Sian Prior said.

The non-profit group has further asked the IMO to “commit to delivering mandatory black carbon emissions reduction from shipping”, and to support the designation of new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to reduce air pollution in the Arctic.

The global shipping sector must take advantage of the “low-hanging fruit” by slashing black carbon emissions from shipping that contributes to warming of the Arctic Ocean.

Black carbon is a climate pollutant, produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels.

According to the Clean Arctic Alliance, black carbon is over 3,000 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 20-year period. “It makes up around one-fifth of international shipping’s climate impact,” the alliance claims.

“Reducing black carbon emissions from shipping in and near the Arctic is straightforward, does not require the development of new fuels or new technology, and can be achieved immediately,” Prior said.

“Moving all the ships operating in the Arctic and currently using heavy fuels will result in around a 44% reduction in black carbon emissions,” she said.

The group claims that individual marine engines can reduce black carbon emissions by up to 80% by shifting from conventional-oil-based marine fuels.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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