A Setback for Green Shipping
In a contentious move, member nations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including India, have voted to postpone the adoption of a critical strategic plan aimed at transitioning the global shipping industry away from fossil fuels towards a ‘net-zero’ emissions target by 2050. This delay comes directly in the wake of considerable pressure from the United States.
Just months prior, in April, an IMO sub-committee had successfully approved a foundational framework designed to introduce new fuel standards for ships and establish a global pricing mechanism for carbon emissions. The expectation was that these measures would be formally ratified in an October meeting, with implementation scheduled to commence in 2027.
During that initial vote, a strong majority of 63 countries, encompassing the EU27, Brazil, China, India, Canada, the U.K., Korea, and Japan, voted in favor. Only 16 nations, notably including the United States, cast dissenting votes.
The Shadow of US Threats
While some countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia had previously voiced opposition to the framework, the U.S. administration intensified its stance post-April, issuing explicit threats against nations that supported the green shipping initiative.
Before the planned vote on October 17 in London, former U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, vehemently stating, “I am outraged that the International Maritime Organization is voting in London this week to pass a global Carbon Tax. The United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping, and will not adhere to it in any way, shape, or form. We will not tolerate increased prices on American Consumers OR, the creation of a Green New Scam Bureaucracy to spend YOUR money on their Green dreams. Stand with the United States, and vote NO in London tomorrow!”
When discussions began on October 14, reports indicate that deliberations quickly became fraught with tension. Ultimately, Singapore introduced a proposal to defer the decision for one year, a move swiftly put to a vote by Saudi Arabia. The outcome saw 57 countries vote in favor of the delay, 49 against, and 21 abstentions. The specific voting stance of India on this particular motion remains unconfirmed.
Expressing deep disappointment, Ralph Regenvanu, the Minister for Climate Change for the Republic of Vanuatu, who was present at the meeting, stated, “We regret that IMO members followed Singapore’s initial proposal to delay the adoption of the framework by 12 months, which Saudi Arabia called to a vote. This is unacceptable given the urgency we face in light of accelerating climate change.” He further added, “The IMO’s failure to adopt the framework this week marks a failure of this United Nations agency to act decisively on climate change. This makes the road to Bélem and beyond more difficult. But we know that we have international law on our side and will continue to fight for our people and the planet.”
Understanding Shipping Emissions
The overarching 2023 IMO GHG (greenhouse gas) Strategy, envisioned as a crucial framework, aims for at least a 40% reduction in the carbon intensity of international shipping by 2030. This objective is designed to significantly lower CO2 emissions per unit of transport work. Furthermore, the Strategy promotes the widespread adoption of zero or ‘near-zero’ GHG emission technologies, fuels, and energy sources, striving for these to constitute at least 5%, and ideally 10%, of the energy consumed by international shipping by 2030.
These ambitious measures are intended to apply to large ocean-going vessels exceeding 5,000 gross tonnes, which are collectively responsible for approximately 85% of the industry’s total emissions. Historically, shipping’s contribution to global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions has remained relatively constant, at around 1.7% (or 2.3% of global anthropogenic CO2) between 2016 and 2023.