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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its recent meeting with a climate strategy outcome that was widely criticized as lacking ambition.
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The proposed shipping emissions levy failed to meet the financial and structural needs for a just and effective transition.
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Despite the low ambition of developed nations, the united stance of African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries offered a hopeful shift in global climate leadership.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) convened this week to finalize measures for its greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy. However, marine conservation groups and climate advocates were left disappointed as the results failed to meet even the organization’s previously agreed benchmarks. Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, the pathway to maritime decarbonization remains unclear, according to Seas At Risk.
Disappointment in Targets and Strategy
Environmental NGO Seas At Risk expressed serious concern that the IMO’s 2030 target—to cut shipping emissions by at least 20%—is now increasingly unlikely to be achieved. Just two years ago, this baseline was seen as a minimum requirement. Now, it appears out of reach, with insufficient measures in place to guarantee progress.
Lack of Support from Major Players
The European Union, once expected to lead with strong climate policies, failed to push for ambitious goals during negotiations. Along with other member states, the EU showed reluctance to support meaningful financial mechanisms and structural reforms—critical components for helping vulnerable nations transition to green maritime solutions.
Polluters Pay Levy Falls Flat
One of the central disappointments of the meeting was the IMO’s failure to implement an effective “polluters pay” levy on shipping emissions. The mechanism currently in place is expected to cover only 11–13% of annual shipping emissions. While projections estimated that the proposed levy could generate $10 billion per year, experts warn this is far from sufficient to support a large-scale rollout of zero to near-zero (ZNZ) emission fuels or fund a just and equitable transition (JET) for developing countries.
According to Seas At Risk, this gap in funding places the burden of climate consequences disproportionately on those least responsible for emissions—and least equipped to manage the resulting disasters.
Voices from the Global South Take the Lead
Despite the overall lack of ambition, the emergence of a united and forceful voice from African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations offered a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing outcome. These countries stood firm, demanding equity, climate justice, and tangible action—making it clear that they will not wait for wealthier nations to lead.
Anaïs Rios, Shipping Policy Officer at Seas At Risk, stated: “This week’s outcome misses even IMO’s baseline—leaving the 2030 decarbonisation target dead in the water, with potential disastrous long-term impacts for people and the planet. The EU may have drifted to the corner of low-ambition, but the emergence of a strong, united voice from African, Caribbean and Pacific nations shows that the global south won’t wait for the north to get their act together.”
A Glimmer of Progress Amid Frustration
While the finalized strategy does not go far enough to address the shipping industry’s impact on the climate, the fact that a consensus was reached is a signal of continued diplomatic engagement. For many, it is a reminder that international cooperation is still possible—and that some nations remain committed to pushing for stronger, more equitable climate action in the years ahead.
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Source: Seas At Risk
