IMO: Acting to cut emission from ships
IMO is committed to supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 – to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts – in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which cause global warming.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the first set of international mandatory measures to improve ships’ energy efficiency on 15 July 2011. Since then, IMO has taken additional action including further regulatory measures, the adoption of the Initial IMO GHG strategy in 2018, and, in 2023, the revised Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. To support their implementation, IMO executes a comprehensive capacity building and technical assistance programme, including a range of global projects.
2023 IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emission from ships
In July 2023, IMO Member States adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions.
The revised IMO GHG Strategy, adopted at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around, i.e. close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for international shipping to reach net-zero GHG emissions for 2030 (by at least 20%, striving for 30%) and 2040 (by at least 70%, striving for 80%).
In particular, the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy envisages a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping (to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work), as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030. The new level of ambition relates to the uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/or energy sources: they are to represent at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030.
It is envisaged that a review of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy will be finalized when the Marine Environment Committee meets in autumn 2028, with a view to adoption of the 2028 IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships.
2023 candidate mid-term GHG measures
The 2023 GHG Strategy states that a basket of candidate measure(s), delivering on the reduction targets, should be developed and finalized, comprised of both:
A technical element, namely a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of the marine fuel’s GHG intensity; and
An economic element, on the basis of a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism.
The candidate economic elements are being assessed observing specific criteria to be considered in a comprehensive impact assessment, with a view to facilitating the finalization of the basket of measures.
The mid-term GHG reduction measures should effectively promote the energy transition of shipping and provide the world fleet with an incentive while contributing to a level playing field and a just and equitable transition.
