MEPC 80: EU backs IMO strategy as 'fair' contribution towards Paris Agreement

The European Commission (EC) says the agreement made at the IMO today will ensure that shipping will make a fair contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement targets.

PHOTO: EU flags outside the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. Getty Images

The Commission goes on to say that it is ready to engage with EU member states and other IMO member states to ensure that shipping is consistently aligned with the climate targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

It says that swift execution is needed to scale up shipping decarbonisation now that an agreement has been reached.

The EU will continue engaging with IMO member states to decide the types of mid-term measures that need to be adopted by 2025.

The Commission calls the IMO's marine fuel mix target "ambitious". The IMO agreed on at least 5% low- and zero emission fuels (and striving for 10%) by 2030. The Commission says this target sends the right signal to the maritime industry, which will lead to increased investments in green technologies and fuels.

It further welcomes guidelines on lifecycle GHG intensity for marine fuels (LCA guidelines) for shipping that were adopted by the IMO.

By Nithin Chandran

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