Progress made at the IMO towards a greenhouse gas levy

The 18th Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) concluded on Friday at the International Maritime Organization with the GHG levy in combination with a global fuel standard as the most favoured candidate mid-term measure for reducing GHG emissions from shipping.

Analysis of the participation at the meeting carried out by UCL Energy Institute showed that 66% of MARPOL signatories now support a levy, which will be decided upon when member states meet up in April for the 83rd gathering of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).

Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said he was “broadly satisfied” with the progress made, but much work urgently remains to be done. 

Bryan Wood-Thomas, vice-president environment and climate at the World Shipping Council, liner shipping’s lobby group, said he was pleased to see constructive efforts to bridge different perspectives and proposals into a global solution. 

 “Any GHG obligations should be set out in the form of clear, legally-binding regulations. While there are tough conversations to have, it is better to have those conversationsnow and ensure the measures agreed have the integrity and clarity required to be effective. Regulations create a level playing field, while guidelines play a role in providing detailed guidance for implementation,” Wood-Thomas said.