Sveinung Oftedal
Chief Negotiator – Green Shipping
Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment
Norway
sveinung.oftedal@kld.dep.no
The adoption of the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships was a historic achievement. It was historic for the International Maritime Organization and for international shipping, and also an important achievement in the larger global cooperation to respond to the climate crisis. It is agreed to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e. close to 2050, taking into account different national circumstances. Further, a timeline for the follow-up was agreed which identifies that the basket of mid-term GHG reduction measures should be finalized and agreed by the Committee (MEPC) by 2025.
There is no doubt that there will be multiple impacts of this decision. First, IMO Member States needs to agree on the legal framework which will deliver on the ambitions for emission cuts agreed in the Strategy. Although it is already agreed that the basket of measures should contain a technical element and an economic element, it is a complex task to agree on an “IMO Net-Zero Framework”. In order to reach net-zero emissions, this framework will imply a shift to the use of fuels/energy with gradually lower GHG intensity. Further, the IMO will revise the energy efficiency framework to ensure reduction of CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.
The emission reduction pathway for shipping will need to be coupled with a global energy transition with substantial scale-up of sustainable renewable fuels. Likewise, the emission reduction pathway will need to be coupled with increased supply of trained seafarers and other maritime personnel being able to operate new technologies and fuels safely. Ongoing work at the IMO will ensure that safety provisions for the use of new types of fuels and energy sources will be in place at the time of expected scale up of deployment of climate friendly fuels and technologies. Achieving emission cuts in line with the Strategy will imply substantial investments in fuel production, fuel infrastructure and ships. It may be that new long-term partnerships will be established to make the early phase of the transition to low- and zero emission shipping economically viable.
In moving forward, the IMO is assessing the impacts on States of a measure/combination of measures. Particular attention is given to the needs of developing countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the assessment is an important aspect to take into account as appropriate before adoption of the measure(s).
At several junctures in the history of the IMO groundbreaking decisions have been made to respond to the global challengers of shipping related to safety, security and environment. Last year the MARPOL Convention celebrated its 50 years of environmental protection in all corners of the world. During these 50 years the regulatory improvements have been agreed in a cooperative atmosphere during a period of constantly changing geopolitical reality. Also, during these 50 years climate change have entered the scene av the most pressing global challenge which will require the most complex transition in the modern history of shipping.
2025 will be a decisive year for the IMO. This is the year when the next, and perhaps most important, step in the history of climate regulations at the IMO will need to be agreed.
The willingness and ability demonstrated at the IMO to ensure that global shipping will deliver on climate actions, is a strong message of standing united to orchestrate a transition which will make shipping serve global trade with net-zero emissions.