Global breakthrough agreement to tackle shipping emissions

Countries have agreed to a global deal to deal with shipping emissions after almost ten years of talks.

The agreement incorporates most of the world’s commercial shipping and means that from starting in 2028, ship owners will have to use rapid cleaner fuel or facial fines.

After Saudi Arabia forced the last minute vote, the deal almost derailed and the US took out of a conversation in London – but it eventually passed on Friday.

The small island state and environmental groups were angry that a blanket tax was not agreed and the deal was called “disqualified for purpose”.

Shipping accounts for About 3% of global emissionsBut unlike many other regions, it has been struggling to reduce its carbon footprint in the last decade and is dependent on fossil fuels such as diesel.

But the agreement means that this is now the first industry in the world, which is to reduce emissions with compulsory goals internationally.

The agreement was passed at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting.

It will require owners of large international ships to increase the use of low carbon intensive fuel or to face a fine of up to $ 380 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions that they emit from burning fuel.

Although the final agreement was passed, it was to be placed for one vote – an unusual step for the United Nations bodies that usually agree with consensus measures.

The vote was requested by Saudi Arabia who did not support the agreement, and the situation was shared by a dozen other oil producing countries including Russia.

Although he opposed the proposal, they would be obliged to implement it as they are members of the IMO.

Steps have been taken to improve the efficiency of the vessels, but the emissions have continued to increase in line with global trade – 90% of which are performed by ships.

The most effective remedy would be to switch vessels from fossil fuel to green fuel, but it will be very expensive.

“Diesel is not cheaper as diesel, because the ships use the think tank transport and maritime transport in the atmosphere, because when we use the crude oil out of the ground today, we all take out good bits, it is kerosene for caries for cars, diesel and petrol,” Fag Abbasov said the Program of Marine Transport and the environment.

He said, “Whatever is left below burns the ships. So no fuel will be as cheap as much energy does not go into its production,” he said.

In comparison, the most environmentally friendly fuel like e-kerosene and ammonia is initially formed by dividing water atoms to achieve hydrogen, which is a very energy-intensive and expensive process.

Based on fuel type, figures are different but World Economic Forum estimates 3-4 times more expensive to produce these green fuels.

“There is still a large cost difference between fossil fuel and zero emission fuel and we need to shut down this difference. So you need carrots and sticks and not far to use the stick in shipping to use the durable fuel to the stick in shipping,” said the program manager Refeck Gunwajak for the sustainable transport at the port of the rotordam.

Some island states also avoided and said that the deal was a underwater version he expected. Earlier proposal to apply blanket carbon tax or levy – which was previously a world – was dropped.

“Let us clarify who has left 1.5 ° C. Saudi Arabia, America and fossil fuel allies pushed numbers to an unstable level and blocked the progress at each turn,” said Energy and Climate Change Minister Ralf Regenwanu.

His disappointment was shared by environmental groups.

Delain McCuloff, president of the Clean Shipping Alliance, said, “This week, the member states of the IMO gave a golden opportunity for the global shipping sector to show the world to show the world how he can change the tongue on a terrible climate heating, out of reaching his own goals”.

It is estimated that the agreement may achieve an 8% decrease in emissions for the sector by 2030, which is according to the Maritime Consultancy UMAS. This would be less than the IMO’s target, agreeing to deduct the emissions by 20% by the end of the decade two years ago.

But China and Brazil had earlier expressed concern that there could be a significant price increase for basic items such as a levy food. Both countries supported the final deal.

Jesse Fahnestock, director of Decharbonation at the Global Maritime Forum, said the deal was an agreement.

“It is a difficult set of decisions, but it is the first regulation of its kind and is to be celebrated,” he said.

Fahnestock said it was not clear whether the punishment was sufficient to stop the cost difference between fuel types.

“You may have encouraged ship owners to prepare slightly for future fuel, but what signs for these fuels are strong enough to get billions of dollars investment in features – I don’t think these rules will be away from it. I think I would need to do more,” he said.

Any money raised from punishment will be put into the “Net Zero” fund, which will be spent on increasing greenery fuel and supporting developing countries.

This is “redistribution” that inspired the American delegation to get out of the talks on Tuesday night. A letter was sent by the US to the IMO talks to all countries stating that any levy would cause inflation and if it is passed, “mutual measures” would be taken.

Although the US move was on obstacles with its long -held position in the IMO, it was keeping in mind President Trump’s push over climate action seen in the last few months – such as withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement.

But the representatives of the industry and the country appeared unaffected while talking to the BBC on Wednesday and continued with talks.

The US flags only 178 cargo ships that represent 0.57% of commercial shipping tons load worldwide. So if it decided not to implement new proposals, then there is no possibility of creating a significant difference in the funds collected.

Now the committee has agreed to this measure, it is expected to be formally adopted in October.