- Denmark, the United States and 12 other countries on Monday backed a goal to reduce emissions by the global maritime sector to zero by 2050, a target to be fleshed out in negotiations at the United Nations shipping agency.
- Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, the Marshall Islands, Norway, Panama and Sweden also signed the maritime sector declaration.
- The IMO sets shipping regulations through its 175 member countries and aims to reach decisions through consensus.
Denmark, the United States, and 12 other countries approved a goal to decrease global maritime emissions to zero by 2050, a target that will be filled out in UN shipping agency deliberations, as reported by Reuters
Climate Goals
The proposal, spearheaded by Denmark and unveiled on the fringes of the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, intends to rally support for the target at the International Maritime Organization, which is exploring new emissions-cutting measures by the year 2023.
At COP26, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, “We urge the IMO to take action to set ambitious targets to achieve zero-emission shipping by 2050.” “To achieve our climate goals, carbon-neutral shipping is critical.”
The maritime sector proclamation was also signed by Belgium, the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, the Marshall Islands, Norway, Panama, and Sweden.
It pledges countries to “operate at the IMO to adopt such a target, to propose goals for 2030 and 2040 that place the sector on a road to full decarbonization by 2050, and to adopt the measures to help achieve these goals,” according to the document.
IMO Sets Shipping Goals
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) establishes maritime regulations through its 175 member countries, with the goal of reaching decisions through consensus.
A stricter aim would necessitate majority approval, raising political difficulties.
The proclamation was not signed by countries with significant maritime shipping sectors, such as Japan and Greece.
“The International Maritime Organization (IMO) provides a global venue for member governments to present their suggestions for consideration.”
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a goal of halving international shipping emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
Global shipping contributes to about 3% of global CO2 emissions, with around 90% of world trade moved by sea.
Carbon-Neutral Ship
Scaling up the production of green fuels and launching clean ships this decade will be necessary to decarbonize the sector.
Denmark’s Maersk, the world’s largest container line, wants to launch its first carbon-neutral ship in 2023, powered by green methanol derived from renewable sources.
Some governments are enforcing more stringent policies.
The European Union’s 27 member states are debating whether to include shipping in the EU’s carbon market, requiring ship owners to pay a price when they pollute.
Britain is attempting to gather a group of countries to issue a similar declaration on aviation at COP26, in order to pressure the United Nations Aviation Agency to adopt a more stringent emissions target.
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Source: Reuters
