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Negotiations on a net-zero shipping framework are on hold as nations fail to reach consensus

IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) decided to adjourn its extraordinary session convened this week in London and to resume it in a year.

In the meantime, nations are expected to continue their consultations to resolve their differences on the issue. framewhich aims to align the shipping sector with the global goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

The draft framework – approved in principle last April – would amend the MARPOL treaty to introduce a global fuel standard and pricing mechanism for greenhouse gas emissions from ships, which account for almost 3% of global emissions.

If adopted, it would be the first legally binding global system to reduce maritime emissions.

No winners or losers

In his closing remarks, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged delegates to use the coming year to rebuild trust and seek consensus.

“Even though you have differences of opinion, you have all expressed your support for the work of this Organization,” he said.

“There are no winners and losers in this session. Let’s take this moment to learn from it and come back ready to negotiate and take the next steps needed to achieve the goals you all agreed to in the 2023 GHG Strategy.”

He asked delegates not to celebrate the adjournment. “There are concerns we need to address, let’s work with each other,» he said.

A view of the second extraordinary session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).

A missed opportunity

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York: Secretary-General António Guterres saw the outcome as “a missed opportunity for member states to put the shipping sector on a clear and credible path to net zero emissions”.

He stressed that decarbonizing the maritime sector – responsible for around 80 percent of global trade – “is essential”.

Media reports cited opposition from several major economies – including the United States – who argued that the proposed global pricing mechanism risked operating as a “carbon tax” and could increase transport costs by more than 10 percent.

Next steps

The IMO said an emissions working group see you next week continue to develop technical guidelines for implementing the framework.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

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