MEPs call on the IMO to tackle rising CO2 emissions from shipping

In the follow-up of the adoption of the Paris Agreement, and amid attempts to tackle the growth of greenhouse-gas emissions from the shipping sector, a delegation from the Environment committee participated in the 69th session of the Marine Environment Protection committee (MEPC69) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London this week.

 

“As maritime emissions could represent 17\% of the global CO2 emissions by 2050 it is unfortunate that the IMO did not manage to agree in this session on a concrete work plan for establishing a reduction target for maritime emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. If we are really serious about fighting climate change, all sectors must contribute and abate their emissions at international and EU level“ delegation chair Jytte Guteland (S&D, SV) said on Thursday.

 

“It is crucial that a global mandatory data collection system of maritime emissions is agreed this week at MEPC69, as a first step to a global system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. Such a development would show that the maritime transport sector acknowledges its responsibility in the common efforts to reduce global emissions. In order to be fit-for-purpose, the data collection scheme must be set up in a stringent, responsible and transparent way“ she said.

 

“At the same time, I am convinced that it is well within the IMO’s ability and responsibility to strengthen its work with emissions abatement. For this to happen, it is imperative to ensure that the EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index for ships) is tightened in order to provide the best possible incentives for technological developments” she added.

 

Background

 The delegation was composed of MEPs Jytte Guteland (S&D, SV, chair of delegation), Dubravka Šuica (EPP, HR) and José Inácio Faria (ADLE, PT). It is the second year in a row that the ENVI Committee is sending a delegation to observe the progress at the MEPC.

MEPs attended the opening session of the MEPC69 and met with the Secretary General of the IMO, Mr Kitack Lim, as well as representatives of major flag States, NGOs, and the shipping industry.

As co-legislator with the EU member states, the European Parliament passed legislation on the monitoring, reporting and verification (so-called “MRV regulation”) of maritime greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation entered into force in July 2015, and will become operational in 2018.

When introducing the MRV proposal in 2013, the European Commission indicated that a reduction target and implementing measures, including market-based measures (MBMs), would follow.

Further information

EP research: The IMO – for ‘safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans’

Committee on the Environment, public health and food safety