IMO on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping
From 17 to 21 February, the Intersessional Working Group on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from ships met for its 18th meeting.
The IMO's Intersessional Working Group (ISWG-GHG 18) made progress in addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. The IMO's 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy aims to introduce mid-term measures by late 2025, including a technical marine fuel standard and an economic GHG emissions pricing mechanism.
The group continued discussions based on a draft "IMO net-zero framework" from the previous MEPC 82 meeting, which includes proposed amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI. These amendments would incorporate mid-term GHG reduction measures into the treaty, which covers 97% of global merchant shipping tonnage.
Key topics included marine fuel intensity regulations, the economic mechanism's structure, the proposed ‘IMO Net-Zero Fund’, revenue distribution, and potential food security impacts. Delegations agreed to keep all economic proposals under consideration and acknowledged bridging options suggested by some Member States.
The group worked towards refining the amendments, aiming for consensus approval at MEPC 83 in April 2025.
The updated amendments, reflecting areas of agreement, will be presented as a "work-in-progress" to be further reviewed at the next meeting (ISWG-GHG 19) on March 31 - April 1, 2025.