EMEA News
MEPs, Green Groups Urge Europe to Address Shipping's GHG Emissions in "Absence of IMO Action"
While United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in welcoming news that the International Maritime Organization (MEPC 70) has agreed upon a number of new steps to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping, has urged continued progress on shipping emissions, European Members of Parliament (MEPs) and environmental NGOs have taken the push for further action one step further, calling on Europe to take action by itself.
"The Secretary-General calls on IMO members in partnership with the maritime industry to promote further progress on the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions from ships to contribute to the objective of the Paris Agreement on climate change, which enters into force on 4 November," read a statement issued by Ban.
Meanwhile, environmental groups Transport & Environment (T&E) and Seas at Risk (SAR), and three MEPs - all senior members of the European Parliament's (EP's) environment committee - have suggested that shipping emissions be included in the EU's 2030 emissions reduction target through a Maritime Climate Fund.
"The shipping sector must play its role in Europe's transition to a low-carbon society. But time is of the essence and, in the absence of IMO action, the EU must include ships' emissions in its 2030 climate target. By setting up a climate fund for shipping Europe can help industry cut CO2 in a cost-effective way," said S&D MEP Jytte Guteland.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the proposed programme would see shipowners purchase Emissions Trading System (ETS) allowances from 2021, or pay an equivalent amount into a new maritime climate fund for the shipping sector for the purchase of allowances on participants' behalf.
"International shipping is the only transport sector not contributing to climate goals in Europe. Since the IMO will not be considering, let alone proposing any emissions reduction measures for many years to come, our duty is to make sure that Europe takes action," said Green MEP Bas Eickhout.
T&E and SAR also expressed disappointment at the IMO's progress on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), asserting that IMO "turned down an easy opportunity to act on climate change" by choosing to abandon a review of ship efficiency targets until 2018 at the earliest.
"It beggars belief that the IMO should abandon plans to increase the stringency of design standards that are being easily met and exceeded years ahead of schedule. Backsliding is an IMO speciality, but this is a particularly egregious and irresponsible example," said John Maggs, policy advisor at SAR.
As Ship & Bunker has reported, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says it is disappointed that a number of environmental groups have already voiced criticism against IMO's newly agreed upon Road Map.
