LONDON — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its latest round of climate negotiations without reaching a consensus on critical measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the global shipping industry, falling short of the climate targets under the IMO’s own 2023 GHG Strategy. The closed-door talks, held during the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), ended in a stalemate late last night, with key member states unable to compromise proposed carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions targets.​ The difficulty reaching consensus led to a very rare vote today on moving the measures forward, which showed that a majority of member states did favor sending them to the next MEPC meeting for adoption.

Statement from Jamie Yates, Climate Policy Analyst, Pacific Environment:

“If maritime shipping was a country, it would be the sixth-largest polluter and its emissions are growing. 

“This is a significant moment where the International Maritime Organization has delivered targets but failed to meet its own ambition on delivering a just and equitable transition and properly incentivizing sustainable long-term fuel and technology solutions. 

“We remain committed to advocating for the needed emissions reductions and revenues to address the harms that climate vulnerable countries will increasingly face.” 

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Pacific Environment confronts our most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future.