Decisions to submit for COP21 from REMPEC

The designation of the proposed Mediterranean Sea Area as an Emission Control Area (Med ECA) would improve the environment and benefit the health of the inhabitants in the region by reducing lung cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality. Indeed, the issue of the prevention of air pollution relates to a range of industries from shipping, ship building to fuel production and tourism which should reduce their emissions of sulfur oxyde (SOx) into the atmosphere. It will also have linkage with the regional and international obligations borne by the countries in the region regarding the implementation of Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

The draft road map for the possible designation of the proposed Med ECA will provide the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and the relevant stakeholders, such as ship owners, operators, builders, fuel producers and research institutes, with a clear vision of the steps to be taken to fulfil the goal of designating the Med ECA. It demonstrates the timeline to be observed and key activities to be carried out in order to achieve such an objective, allowing the relevant actors to prepare for as well as participate actively in the implementation of the substantive and crucial actions.