Civil society groups are calling on the IMO member states to urgently support halving climate pollution from ships by 2030 and reaching zero-emission by 2040, at the Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gases next week.
As explained, given the disproportionate impacts of climate change felt in vulnerable and developing states already today, the IMO must also guarantee that this transition is just and equitable.
While a majority of governments have previously agreed to revise the IMO’s existing climate target to absolute zero-emissions by 2050, bringing the industry closer than ever before to the Paris Agreement, a mid-century ambition is not enough to decarbonise shipping within Paris’ 1.5°C temperature limit.
The world’s climate scientists have repeatedly warned that steep and immediate reduction in emissions across industries is the only way to avert the global temperature rise beyond 1.5°C, and it is the only way humanity can secure a livable future.
Ambitious targets for 2030 and 2040 are vital for determining future IMO climate policy measures that will be key to deliver shipping’s transition to zero emissions, such as action on short-term pollutants (methane and black carbon), mandatory slow-steaming, a carbon levy of at least $100/tonne of greenhouse gas and a fuel greenhouse gas standard.
The science is unequivocal and the steps we need to take are clear, and it all starts at the IMO this month, when the world must, for the first time, unequivocally set the industry on a path that will keep it within the Paris Agreement 1.5°C temperature limit, including halving its emissions by 2030.
..said John Maggs, Clean Shipping Coalition.
By setting strong climate targets for 2030 and 2040 at the IMO, shipping can play its part in limiting the climate crisis and unlock incredible economic opportunities and much needed climate finance.
..said Lucy Gilliam, Seas At Risk.
Faig Abbasov, Transport & Environment, said: “The luxury boat of zero-by-2050 has long sailed. We only have one lifeboat left, and that is deep emissions cuts this decade and pretty much full decarbonisation by 2040. There is no other way. That’s why the EU and IMO must adopt the SBTi compatible decarbonisation pathway for shipping; that means at least 36% emissions cuts by 2030 and at least 96% by 2040.”
