14 countries sign declaration urging for zero emissions ships by 2050

More specifically, Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, the Marshall Islands, Norway, Panama and Sweden, Denmark, and the US signed the maritime sector declaration, which commits countries to work at IMO to adopt goals for 2030 and 2040 that place the sector on a pathway to full decarbonization by 2050.

The next step is to discuss this matter within the IMO, until the end of November, with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, highlighting that:

We urge the IMO to take action to set ambitious targets to achieve zero emission shipping by 2050. Carbon-neutral shipping is vital to reaching our climate goals

However, countries with big maritime shipping sectors, including Japan, Greece, Italy, and Spain did not sign the declaration.

Now, an IMO spokesperson informed that discussions will take place regarding the proposals from countries for broader climate measures to be adopted in 2023.

IMO is providing the global forum where member states can begin forward their proposals for discussion

The signing of the declaration comes after more than 150 industry leaders and organizations signed the “Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization”, in September, urging for decisive government action to enable full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050.

Namely, the signatories called on governments to:

• Commit to decarbonizing international shipping by 2050: Set an unambiguous target to decarbonize international shipping by 2050 and deliver a clear, achievable, and equitable implementation plan to achieve this when adopting the IMO GHG Strategy in 2023.
• Support industrial scale zero emission shipping projects through national action: Support industrial scale demonstration projects addressing vessels, port infrastructure, and fuel production to de-risk first movers and accelerate innovation starting now, for instance by setting clear decarbonization targets for domestic shipping and providing incentives and support to first movers and the broader deployment of zero emissions fuels and vessels.
• Deliver policy measures that will make zero emission shipping the default choice by 2030: Adopt policy measures, including meaningful market-based measures, taking effect by 2025 that will support the commercial deployment of zero emission vessels and fuels in international shipping and make ordering zero emission vessels the default choice no later than 2030.

SEE MORE INFO ON THE SIGNATORIES’ CLIMATE COMMITMENTS

In a similar declaration, over 130 renewable energy operators, under the auspices of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Coalition for Action, launched a call to action, urging all governments to ensure access to high-quality, sustainable jobs during the energy transition.

What is more, several countries are pressing ahead with stricter policies. In fact, the 27-country European Union is considering a proposal to add shipping to the EU carbon market, forcing ship owners to pay a fee when they pollute.

Decarbonizing international shipping is a key element of keeping the goal to limit warming to 1.5° C alive. Proud to support today’s declaration to help achieve zero emissions from the sector by 2050. @COP26 #OceanClimateAction https://t.co/udqHZftRge pic.twitter.com/ybi4Ak6FpE

— Climate @ State (@ClimateAtState) November 1, 2021

Additionally, Britain is trying to gather a group of countries to make a similar declaration on aviation at COP26, to push the U.N. aviation agency to set a tougher emissions target, according to documents seen by Reuters.

Denmark’s efforts towads decarbonization highlights the fact that Maersk plans to operate its first carbon-neutral ship in 2023 using green methanol produced from renewable sources.

EXPLORE MORE ON THE DECLARATION FOR ZERO EMISSION SHIPPING