US calls for stringent interim goals for shipping decarbonization

Ahead of next month’s crunch talks at the 80th gathering of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the US has weighed in, giving member states a clear view of what Washington DC would like see in terms of outcomes.

Sue Biniaz, the US deputy special envoy for climate, described July’s MEPC meeting as a “key moment” to create emissions reduction targets for the sector that align with the 1.5-degree goal.

Biniaz argued that the long-term goal of the current IMO greenhouse gas strategy – which includes reducing total annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 – is insufficiently ambitious. The US has proposed the inclusion of a more ambitious goal – specifically, zero emissions from international shipping no later than 2050 – in the revised strategy.

To get to the long-term target, the US has called for more stringent interim goals, such as reducing total annual greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 37% by 2030. 

The US has also proposed to complement emissions reduction goals with a goal to increase energy consumption from zero- or near-zero emission fuels, given that the fuel transition is key to fully decarbonizing the sector.

The US is also supporting further progress in the IMO on developing mid-term measures, including a greenhouse gas fuel standard.

John Kerry attended this month’s Nor-Shipping trade fair in which he warned that unless stricter green shipping targets are met by 2030, there can be no 2050 net zero.

French president Emmanuel Macron is also trying to galvanise action ahead of MEPC, rallying support for a global carbon tax on the shipping industry. France is attempting to assemble a coalition of dozens of nations to endorse the proposal and has received backing from Japan and Denmark among others.