The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a revised strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from ships, with improved targets to tackle harmful emissions, Bioenergy International wrote.
Member states of the IMO approved the revised IMO GHG Strategy during a meeting at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)’s 80th session held on 3-7 July in London.
The revised strategy includes a target of reaching net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, and a commitment to ensure uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, with checkpoints for 2030 and 2040, according to the 10 July report.
“The adoption of the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy opens a new chapter toward maritime decarbonisation,” IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim was quoted as saying.
“At the same time, it is not the end goal, it is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us.”
The IMO – the United Nations (UN)’s specialised agency responsible for shipping security and safety and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships – said it remained committed to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and aimed to phase them out as soon as possible, while promoting – via the new strategy – a transition period.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) addresses environmental issues under IMO’s remit.
