IMO on course to implement new GHG strategy despite lingering uncertainties - UMAS

According to University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS), the IMO is on track to revise its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy and develop new measures for shipping's energy transition.

PHOTO: Street view of International Maritime Organisation building in Lambeth, London, UK. Getty Images

Last week's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at the IMO was a "test of whether the IMO was building momentum toward an ambitious revision of the strategy next July, or whether large groups of countries would coordinate against that outcome," writes UMAS director and professor at University College London Tristan Smith.

UMAS found there was overarching support for 1.5°C-aligned decarbonisation, well-to-wake approaches to reduce emissions, a carbon levy-based system and fuel standards, and policy support to accelerate the transition.

India, Saudi Arabia and the US supported a goal of at least 5% alternative fuels in the fuel mix by 2030.

UMAS noted, however, that 10 developing nations were concerned about transportation costs and declined to back a target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

“While the zero GHG emissions by 2050 ambition was strongly voiced throughout the meeting, there remains further work needed to get a minority of countries to support this ambition and additionally to agree on 1.5°-aligned interim targets,” said Alison Shaw, policy lead at UMAS.

Earlier this month, a panel of shipping and decarbonisation experts including Tristan Smith and the chief executive of Belgian shipping company CMB Alexander Saverys recommended that a "revised IMO GHG Strategy should set clear 1.5-aligned interim targets like the 2030 and 2040 GHG reduction targets."

To help narrow the price gap between renewable marine fuels and conventional marine fuels, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents international shipowners, proposed a "fund and reward" market-based measures.

By Konica Bhatt

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