The International Maritime Organization (IMO) continued negotiating on key policy details in the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), at the working group talks (ISWG-GHG20) on 20-24 October in London, reports Safety4sea.
The ISWG-GHG-20 meeting largely resembled business as usual at the IMO, with governments engaging in constructive discussions on the Framework’s guidelines, the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC) reports. This was in contrast to chaotic negotiations the week before, which led to the NZF adoption delay.
Progress on the Net-Zero Framework
The US, Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries responsible for the NZF adoption delay objected to any further work on the guidelines, deeming it premature until the NZF is adopted. This puzzled several delegates who pointed out that only last week the US and Saudi Arabia argued the NZF cannot be adopted due to key policy clarifications still missing.
“Over the last two weeks, the US, Saudi Arabia and other petro-states engaged in textbook climate obstruction. Last week, they opposed the adoption the Net-Zero Framework for lack of detail. This week, they opposed discussing details ahead of adoption,” commented Christiaan de Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture and Climate at the University of Melbourne and an IMO observer.
Meanwhile, Jamie Yates, Climate & Renewable Energy Manager, Pacific Environment, said: “Despite last week’s delay tactics and bullying, we’ve moved past obstruction and into real progress with productive discussions now shaping the Net Zero Framework and how it will be implemented. We applaud the member states and industry leaders driving this forward.”
“Luckily, this week, more voices joined the conversation, and the discussions took on a constructive and more respectful tone. It was a meaningful step toward rebuilding the confidence, transparency, and integrity we need to deliver the pollution cuts future generations deserve,” said Natacha Stamatiou, IMO GHG Lead, Global Shipping, Environmental Defense Fund.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Safety4sea
