EU warns IMO that April’s MEPC must deliver serious emission reduction plans
In a statement yesterday the Council of the European Union stressed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) must be firm to keep shipping up with commitments made in line with the Paris Agreement.
“The Council of the EU emphasises the need for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to take swift and appropriate additional actions in order for international shipping to contribute its fair share to the fight against climate change and to agree in April 2018 on an initial greenhouse gas IMO emission reduction strategy,” the council stated, adding: “This should be underpinned by an adequate emission reduction objective, consistent with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement, including a list of candidate short, mid and long-term measures equally applicable to all ships, as agreed in the roadmap for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.”
The council welcomed the Tony de Brum Declaration issued at the occasion of the One Planet Summit in Paris last December and stressed the need for appropriate outreach activities in the run up to April’s crucial 72nd Session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 72) to further build the political momentum while striving for a successful outcome in MEPC 72.
The Tony de Brum Declaration, named after the late foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, has seen a number of countries sign up to commit to tackle shipping’s carbon footprint.
