Countries at the UN's maritime agency have agreed on a global fuel emissions standard for shipping, imposing penalties on polluting vessels and rewarding cleaner ones, despite the US pulling out of talks, reports Aljazeera.
The agreement, reached at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, sets a framework to cut net emissions from international shipping by 20 per cent by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050. The US withdrew from the negotiations and threatened reciprocal measures against any fees levied on its ships.
From 2028, ships exceeding a fixed emissions threshold will pay $380 per tonne of CO2-equivalent, with an additional $100 per tonne for breaching a stricter limit. The scheme could generate up to $40 billion by 2030, some of which will subsidise zero-emission fuels.
The talks revealed divisions among member states. A stronger carbon levy proposal backed by Pacific nations, the EU and the UK was dropped after opposition from China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Vanuatu's climate minister Ralph Regenvanu said the final deal fell short of the pathway.
The International Chamber of Shipping welcomed the agreement, saying it would drive investment in clean fuels. Ships emitting below the stricter limit will earn credits tradable with non-compliant vessels.
By 2030, ships must reduce fuel emissions intensity by eight per cent compared to 2008 levels, rising to 30 per cent by 2035. The stricter standard demands a 21 per cent cut by 2030 and 43 per cent by 2035. The IMO will formally adopt the measure at its October assembly.
SeaNews Turkey
The agreement, reached at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, sets a framework to cut net emissions from international shipping by 20 per cent by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050. The US withdrew from the negotiations and threatened reciprocal measures against any fees levied on its ships.
From 2028, ships exceeding a fixed emissions threshold will pay $380 per tonne of CO2-equivalent, with an additional $100 per tonne for breaching a stricter limit. The scheme could generate up to $40 billion by 2030, some of which will subsidise zero-emission fuels.
The talks revealed divisions among member states. A stronger carbon levy proposal backed by Pacific nations, the EU and the UK was dropped after opposition from China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Vanuatu's climate minister Ralph Regenvanu said the final deal fell short of the pathway.
The International Chamber of Shipping welcomed the agreement, saying it would drive investment in clean fuels. Ships emitting below the stricter limit will earn credits tradable with non-compliant vessels.
By 2030, ships must reduce fuel emissions intensity by eight per cent compared to 2008 levels, rising to 30 per cent by 2035. The stricter standard demands a 21 per cent cut by 2030 and 43 per cent by 2035. The IMO will formally adopt the measure at its October assembly.
SeaNews Turkey
