Danish Shipping urges IMO to make global shipping climate-neutral by 2050

The shipowners’ association has called on member states to reach "an ambitious agreement" at the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) meeting this week.

PHOTO: Getty Images

The trade organisation has prepared a “list of desires” for the green transformation of the maritime industry. It has also urged member states to reach a consensus on technical and economic measures to achieve the goal of zero emissions from shipping by 2050.

“We would like to see a price on emissions that can bridge the price gap between fossil fuels and the new green fuels,” said Anne H. Steffensen, director general and chief executive of Danish Shipping.

“We want a clear definition of what constitutes green fuels and support a model where funds from a greenhouse gas levy on global shipping can be used to assist developing countries in their green transition,” she added.

Highlighting the urgency to fix climate-neutral targets, the trade body said this is going to be a “critical week for green shipping”.

“This week, members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will gather for what could be a decisive meeting for global climate regulation of shipping,” the group said.

Several nations have convened for the MEPC 80 meeting this week, to discuss and amend climate policies and regulations that align better with the Paris Agreement set in 2015 to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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