Environmental NGOs Call for More Significant Emission Reduction Targets for Shipping

The call comes in response to a joint proposal submitted to IMO by ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, and INTERTANKO.

Environmental NGOs are calling for more significant emission reduction targets after the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), along with BIMCO, INTERCARGO, and INTERTANKO, submitted a joint proposal on the topic to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

As Ship & Bunker reported last week, the joint proposal urged IMO to undertake "ambitious" CO2 reductions by the international shipping industry.

"While we commend BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, and ICS for publishing this statement, the objectives lack the ambition that the world expects of the shipping industry. This position effectively states that from today until 2050, overall GHG emissions levels will stay roughly where they were at their height in 2008," said Maurice Meehan, Director of Global Shipping Operations at Carbon War Room.

"We do acknowledge the group's submissions to MEPC 71, which states that IMO should "reduce international shipping's total CO2 emissions by an agreed percentage by 2025" and that this should be part of the strategy announced in 2018. Carbon War Room does support a total reduction target that brings shipping in line with the Paris Agreement's goals."

Faig Abbasov of the Clean Shipping Coalition, also commenting on the joint submission, said: "to achieve an effective global deal we will need real leadership from the industry and less decorative words.

"No commitment to cap and reduce global emissions in absolute terms by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to current levels is hardly a break from business as usual. The industry's 'ambitious' proposal explicitly refuses this commitment. It is high time to shape up or ship out."

As Ship & Bunker has reported, the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee is set to meet in July to begin the development of a strategy for the reduction of the sector's CO2 emissions.