United Nations International Maritime Organization agrees to reach net zero ‘by or around’ 2050

  • July 8, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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United Nations International Maritime Organization agrees to reach net zero “by or around” 2050

Subject :Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context:

  • Maritime countries upgraded their Greenhouse House Gas (GHG) emissions strategy to reach net zero “by or around” 2050 without specifying a definite year and taking into account different national circumstances, at the conclusion of the summit of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London on July 7, 2023.
  • The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) — 80th session was held at the IMO headquarters (London) from July 3-7.

IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy 2023:

  • The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy adopted calls for the international shipping industry “to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008.”
  • The draft document agreed upon by member nations says to peak GHG emissions from international shipping “as soon as possible.”
  • This is to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
  • It also urged the industry “to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared to 2008.”
  • The near-zero emission technologies, fuels, and energy sources should “represent at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030.”
  • Biofuels:
    • The IMO adopted interim guidance which said that internationally certified biofuel and bio-blends can be used in the shipping industry. This resolution was backed aggressively by India at the conference.
  • The carbon intensity of international shipping should decline to reduce CO2 emissions “per transport work”, on average by at least 40 per cent by 2030, compared to 2008 baseline levels.
  • Just transition:
    • The IMO document, for the first time, spoke about implementing measures to b and other maritime workforce “that leaves no one behind.”
  • Carbon emission from maritime shipping sector:
    • Maritime shipping is responsible for three per cent of global anthropogenic GHG emissions and these emissions are continuing to grow rapidly.
    • A business-as-usual scenario would see shipping emissions increase more than five-fold by 2050 if the shipping industry fails to act now.

About International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

  • It is the United Nations specialized agency and the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.
  • It was established through the UN Convention in Geneva in 1948 having its headquarters in London.
  • It currently has 174 Member States constituting its Assembly which meets biennially.
  • The Assembly elects 40 Member States to constitute the Council which acts as a governing body.
  • Roles :
    • Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
    • It does not have an implementation mechanism.
    • It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
    • IMO has adopted measures to reduce air pollution from ships as well as energy efficiency measures including the Energy Efficiency Design Index, which is mandatory for new ships, and the requirement for a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, for all ships.
  • Key IMO Conventions:
    • SOLAS(1974)- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
    • MARPOL(1973)- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
    • STCW- International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC):

  • The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) addresses environmental issues under IMO’s remit.
  • This includes the control and prevention of ship-source pollution covered by the MARPOL treaty, including oil, chemicals carried in bulk, sewage, garbage and emissions from ships, including air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Other matters covered include ballast water management, anti-fouling systems, ship recycling, pollution preparedness and response, and identification of special areas and particularly sensitive sea areas.
Environment United Nations International Maritime Organization agrees to reach net zero 'by or around' 2050