MEPC 80: Canadian Arctic ECA could halve black carbon emissions – ABS
An initial proposal made by Canada to set up an Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Canadian Arctic region could cut sulphur oxide emissions by up to 80% and black carbon emissions by 58% by 2030, according to some projections, ABS said at a webinar on Tuesday.
PHOTO: Getty Images
Canada plans to finalise its proposal for discussion at the 81st Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in April 2024. ECAs are governed by the IMO’s MARPOL guidelines and require ships operating in Canadian Arctic waters to comply with stricter emission standards for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter.
The IMO has so far designated four ECA regions that cover the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, coastal areas off the US and Canada and the US Caribbean Sea area. Ships trading in ECAs must use fuels with a max sulphur content of 0.10%.
If the Canadian Arctic proposal is approved by the IMO, ABS expects adoption in the spring of 2025 and entry into force by the winter of 2027. According to projections reviewed by ABS, this could cut particulate matter and black carbon emissions by 73% and 58%, respectively, by 2030.
Black carbon emissions in the Arctic from shipping have been a major concern for environmentalists. The Arctic Council notes that black carbon is a short-lived pollutant that accelerates melting of snow and ice and exacerbates the impact of global warming in the Arctic.
The IMO did not take any concrete actions to limit black snow in the Artic at last week's MEPC 80, but it has invited members to submit proposals to its Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) subcommittee meeting in February 2024.
“During MEPC 80, IMO member states had the chance to show global leadership by curbing the shipping sector's impact on the climate and the Arctic by slashing greenhouse gas emissions - but have instead opted for a bland, and weaker version of their earlier ambitions” said Clean Arctic Alliance lead adviser Dr Sian Prior.
By Debarati Bhattacharjee
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