Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  April 16, 2018

U.N. sets emissions target for shipping industry

The first agreement to cut GHG emissions from international ocean shipping was approved by the U.N. International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Apr. 13. The agency also called for phasing out emissions entirely in this century.

A statement from the IMO noted that “the initial strategy envisages for the first time a reduction in total GHG emissions from international shipping” and “to reduce the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008, while, at the same time, pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely.” This initial strategy will be revised by 2023.

The strategy also includes a specific reference to “a pathway of CO2 emissions reduction consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals”. The “levels of ambition” stated by the IMO also calls for “carbon intensity of the ship to decline through implementation of further phases of the energy efficiency design index (EEDI) for new ships.”

The strategy was adopted by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), during its 72nd session at IMO Headquarters in London, which was attended by more than 100 IMO Member States.

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