Climate Deal on Shipping Hits the Brakes

A global climate agreement aimed at pricing carbon emissions in the shipping industry has been delayed by a year due to pressure from the United States and other major oil producers. The postponement represents a setback for international climate protection efforts.

Key Points

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed a vote on a global agreement for carbon pricing in shipping.
The delay is attributed to pressure from the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The proposed "Net-Zero Framework" aimed to set standards for fuels and price greenhouse gas emissions from ships, starting in 2027.
The EU and countries like China, Brazil and the UK support the carbon pricing initiative.
Countries vulnerable to climate change feel the proposed rules do not go far enough.
German shipping and shipbuilding associations have criticized the delay and the EU's perceived lack of assertiveness.

Background

The IMO, the UN's agency for maritime affairs, had previously agreed in 2023 to achieve climate neutrality in the shipping sector by around 2050, with interim targets for 2030 and 2040. In April, a majority of member states expressed support for a system of pricing CO2 emissions from ships. The proposed measures, known as the "Net-Zero Framework," sought to establish standards for cleaner fuels and implement a global carbon pricing mechanism. These rules were intended to apply to large vessels with a cargo capacity exceeding 5,000 tons, which account for an estimated 85% of the shipping industry's total CO2 emissions. The objective was to incentivize the shipping industry to transition to less polluting fuels. The delay comes after the US government expressed strong opposition to the plan, with President Trump stating that the US would not accept or adhere to global shipping taxes.

Numbers & Facts

2023: IMO member states agreed to aim for climate neutrality in shipping by 2050.
2027: The "Net-Zero Framework" rules were intended to come into effect.
5,000 tons: Cargo capacity threshold for ships to be affected by the rules.
85%: Estimated percentage of total CO2 emissions from international shipping accounted for by large ships (over 5,000 tons).
US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, UAE: Countries opposing the CO2 levy.
China, Brazil, UK, EU: Countries supporting the CO2 levy.

Assessment

The postponement of the climate agreement is a win for the US and other major oil producers who opposed the carbon levy. It is a setback for international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry, a sector that significantly contributes to climate change. For the EU and countries supporting the agreement, the delay represents a failure to effectively promote their climate agenda on a global scale. German shipping and shipbuilding associations have voiced concerns about the lack of progress and the potential impact on the industry's transition to cleaner fuels. For countries highly vulnerable to climate change, the delay signifies insufficient ambition in addressing the climate crisis.

Outlook

The vote on the climate agreement has been postponed for one year. Whether a consensus can be reached in the future remains uncertain, particularly given the opposing stances of major players. The EU's ability to influence the negotiations and potentially adapt its regional regulations to a global system will be critical in determining the future of the agreement. The shipping industry faces continued pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and the outcome of future negotiations will significantly impact the sector's transition to more sustainable practices.

Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/un-klimaschutz-abkommen-schifffahrt-100.html