SSI Calls on IMO to Take Early Action on Reducing Shipping CO2 Emissions

SSI has called on the IMO to show leadership in the development of a framework for CO2 emissions reductions in the global shipping industry.

The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) Friday in an emailed press release said the 2 degrees global warming target agreed at the recent 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) climate deal in Paris will only be achieved if the International Maritime Organization (IMO) takes early action to create a global framework to tackle shipping emissions.

The organisation says the Marine Environmental Committee Meeting (MEPC 69) in April 2016 would therefore be a "crucial landmark" for IMO to "show real leadership" in the development of a progressive international framework for CO2 emissions reductions.

As Ship & Bunker previously reported, text addressing emissions from the shipping sector, along with aviation, were dropped from the final global climate agreement.

"Although there is no specific mention of shipping within the text, it does not diminish the considerable role that the industry must play in achieving a target of below 2 degrees warming," said SSI.

"The scale of the challenge has already been identified and will only be achieved if there is early action by the IMO to create a global framework that is ambitious, progressive, and fully supported by regional regulators and jurisdictions, as well as the industry alike. 

"Similar to the COP21 agreement, shipping must adopt a unified response based on collaboration, pragmatism and controlled urgency."

Earlier this month, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said the removal of any explicit references to international shipping in Wednesday's draft of the COP21 climate deal text is "unlikely to inhibit the aspirations of governments" to reduce the sector's emissions.

However last week, Ship & Bunker reported that Maersk warned the lack of an explicit reference to shipping in the COP21 text could lead to fragmented regional rules.