18 June 2021

IMO ADOPTS WEAK GHG EMISSIONS REDUCTION MEASURES

The IMO adopted this week new mandatory measures to cut the carbon intensity of international shipping.  The amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI will require ships to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The new measures will require all ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) following technical means to improve their energy efficiency and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.

These measures are intended to meet the IMO carbon intensity reduction target of 11% from 2023 to 2026. However, no measures were adopted to meet the target of 40% efficiency increase in 2030.  

Transport and Environment commented: ‘The global shipping fleet will be required to reduce its carbon intensity by just 1.5% a year under a climate plan adopted by the UN regulator, the IMO, yesterday. The target is as weak as what would be achieved under business as usual and falls far short of the 7% annual reduction required to meet the goals of the Paris agreement.’

The EU is preparing to include shipping in its emissions trading system when it revises the bloc’s carbon market on 14 July. The EU will also propose to require ships to progressively switch to alternative sustainable fuels.

Source: IMO, Shipping Watch