IMO MEPC 72 addressed several issues important to Arctic. These issues are a proposed ban on HFO in the Arctic, an agreement to decrease GHG emissions from shipping, and the global and local effects of a warming Arctic.
Twenty-two countries supported the ban of HFO in the Arctic, which is now being considered regarding ways to assess impacts. Moreover, IMO agreed to reduce shipping emissions at least 50% relative to 2008 levels. However, this was short of the goals that many nations had set.
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Shipping emissions already equal Germany’s – the world’s sixth largest emitter – and are expected to increase by up to 250% unless policies change. Thus, failure to reduce shipping emissions will make it difficult for the sector to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal.
Finally, the IMO heard about the effects of the warming Arctic where temperatures are increasing 2-3 times faster than the rest of the world, with Arctic indigenous leaders addressing the matter.
