Various environmental NGOs have called for more ambitious climate action and adequate resourcing for negotiations, following the conclusion of MEPC 82 (September to 4 October, 2024).
The Green Shipping Coalition emphasized the need for shipping’s climate pollution to peak and reduce in line with the IMO’s 2023 greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy. President Delaine McCullough expressed concern over the insufficient resources allocated to revising the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) standards, as well as a lack of urgency in improving energy efficiency measures, which are critical for achieving a 30% emissions reduction by 2030.
The Clean Shipping Coalition is particularly concerned that the revision of the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ship efficiency standards, which commenced at this meeting, has not been allocated the resources it requires to succeed,
… said Clean Shipping Coalition President Delaine McCullough, adding that while there were encouraging signs of a rapidly growing number of IMO member states coming together around the universal GHG emission levy, including efforts by states to combine several options into one, there is a disturbing lack of progress on making the hard choices.
Nowhere is this more problematic than the lack of urgency we are seeing around strengthening the energy efficiency measure. To be clear: failure to maximise the efficiency of the sector immediately will put the goal of cutting emissions by 30% by 2030 completely in serious jeopardy.
… McCullough stressed the importance of treating the levy, fuel standard, and efficiency measures as equally important in negotiations and urged governments like Spain, Germany, and Japan not to hinder progress.
Also regarding the greenhouse gas levy, Bastien Bonnet-Catalloube, an expert on decarbonisation, noted, “It is encouraging to see that a greenhouse gas levy for international shipping has gained traction again during MEPC 82; however, while delegations work together on proposals, the course of climate ambition should not be compromised.” He emphasized the urgency for countries to find an ambitious compromise and adopt a high levy to ensure the polluter-pays principle is applied.
Moreover, on the Global Fuel Standard, Constance Dijkstra, IMO Policy Manager at Transport & Environment, warned that “there is a real danger that the Global Fuel Standard measures under negotiation during MEPC 82 will incentivize bad biofuels linked to deforestation and food security, instead of promoting alternatives based on green hydrogen.”
The meeting also addressed the regulation of black carbon emissions, with Dr. Sian Prior from the Clean Arctic Alliance noting, “With the IMO finally looking set to regulate black carbon emissions from black carbon, which will greatly lower the impact of the shipping sector on Arctic sea and glaciers.”
Sönke Diesener, a shipping expert at NABU, welcomed the approval of two new Emission Control Areas in the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea, stating, “Targeting Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter, these ECAs will be vital in reducing air pollution and protecting public health, the environment and climate.”
The need for action on scrubbers was also highlighted, with Eelco Leemans from the Clean Arctic Alliance expressing frustration over the postponement of discussions, stating, “The IMO’s lack of action on scrubbers is frustrating.” He called for a total ban on the use of scrubbers in the Arctic.
Additionally, Amy Youngman, Legal and Policy Specialist at the Environmental Investigation Agency, remarked on the issue of plastic pollution, stating, “We are pleased to see the commitment to tackling plastic pellet pollution from ships.” She emphasized the need for urgent action to prevent further plastic pollution and protect the marine environment.
Sandra Chiri, International Outreach Manager, Shipping Emissions at Ocean Conservancy, stated that countries at the IMO are moving way too slowly to make decisions on the crucial details of the policy measures needed to meet the emission cuts committed to in the 2023 greenhouse gas strategy.
Finally, Anaïs Rios, Shipping Policy Officer at Seas At Risk, stressed the need for immediate action saying: “With just six months left until the next deadline, the time to act is now if the shipping industry is to meet the IMO decarbonisation targets.”
