The transport sector’s first binding emissions targets had been agreed on Friday 11 April, making it the primary trade with internationally mandated targets of this type. Whereas thought-about a landmark deal, some observers say enhancements are wanted to the bundle of measures if the maritime sector is to achieve web zero by 2050.
The deal – agreed throughout a gathering of the UN Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) Marine Surroundings Safety Committee – acquired endorsement from 63 nations, together with China, Brazil, South Africa and a number of other European states.
China finally reached a compromise however had earlier opposed “overly formidable” local weather targets and a world carbon levy, citing the potential for disproportionate impacts on creating nations.
Sixteen nations opposed the deal, notably the US, citing unfairnesses and the truth that the US would find yourself paying greater than different nations. There have been additionally considerations that such a deal might would possibly set a precedent that allowed non-IMO regional blocs (just like the EU) to impose related carbon pricing unilaterally, undermining US sovereignty in commerce and transport regulation.
Saudi Arabia additionally opposed the ultimate deal, having taken an analogous stance to China and Brazil on the propensity for a world carbon levy to precise a disproportionate toll on creating nations, however refusing to achieve a compromise. The Saudi delegation additionally voiced doubts in regards to the maturity of applied sciences like e-fuels and onboard carbon seize, seen as indispensable for assembly the proposed targets.
An extended-standing coverage vaccuum?
Transport accounts for almost 3% of whole world CO2 emissions, in response to current IMO figures,1 and amongst sectors that contribute most to the general tally, it ranks someplace within the prime 8 (i.e., under power, land transport, and heavy trade, however above waste).
A 2023 world local weather technique for the sector had set out an ambition to realize a 30% discount in GHG emissions by 2030, and 80% by 2040, which is “near a degree of ambition that may ship on the Paris local weather settlement”, in response to a current remark by educational consultants,2 however the apparent excellent merchandise has been insurance policies to make sure these targets are met.
The brand new settlement units “indicative checkpoints” to cut back whole annual GHG emissions from worldwide transport by no less than 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, and no less than 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, in comparison with 2008 ranges.
In addition to these absolute reductions, the brand new settlement additionally defines a world gasoline customary that units GHG depth discount targets for annually from 2027 to 2035. That is supposed to push the trade in the direction of putative low- or zero-carbon fuels akin to e-ammonia and e-methanol.
One other key ingredient of the brand new framework is the introduction of economic penalties. From 2027, ships exceeding sure emission thresholds will incur penalties, together with a $100 price per ton of emissions above sure limits. This scheme is anticipated to generate as much as $13 billion yearly, supposed to help the transition to cleaner transport applied sciences and help creating nations.
Revenues generated by the penalties can be used to fund a reward mechanism for zero- and near-zero emission fuels and may doubtlessly help a simply and equitable transition, mentioned the International Maritime Discussion board, a not-for-profit group headquartered in Copenhagen.
The settlement additionally enshrines a carbon buying and selling system that it’s hoped will enable transport companies to purchase and promote emission credit, incentivizing cleaner applied sciences and operational effectivity.
Total, the International Maritime Discussion board mentioned the brand new targets had been “laudable, however not sufficient to drive wanted investments.”
In opposition to the present backdrop of geopolitical tensions and unprecedented disruption of worldwide commerce, the discussion board praised the efforts as “an instance of multilateralism nonetheless at work.”
Jesse Fahnestock, the group’s Director of Decarbonisation, commented: “Whereas the targets are a step ahead, they’ll must be improved if they’re to drive the fast gasoline shift that may allow the maritime sector to achieve web zero by 2050. Whereas we applaud the progress made, assembly the targets would require instant and decisive investments in inexperienced gasoline know-how and infrastructure. The IMO can have alternatives to make these rules extra impactful over time, and nationwide and regional insurance policies additionally must prioritise scalable e-fuels and the infrastructure wanted for long-term decarbonisation.”
The group mentioned it believed the agreed measures is probably not sturdy sufficient on their very own to ship on the IMO’s technique. “The GHG depth targets create uncertainty as as to if the technique’s emissions discount checkpoints for 2030 and 2040 can be met. As presently designed, measures are unlikely to be adequate to incentivise the fast growth of e-fuels akin to e-ammonia or e-methanol, which can be wanted in the long term as a result of their scalability and emission discount potential. A failure to start investing in these fuels now would put the goal of no less than 5% zero- and near-zero emission gasoline use by 2030 and the trade’s total 2050 net-zero aim in danger.”
“A whole lot of work stays to be executed. There can be alternatives to strengthen the GHG depth targets and penalties by way of future opinions. As well as, essential particulars in regards to the implementation of the measures will must be developed between now and their entry into drive in 2028. These embody pointers on the income disbursement and life cycle emission elements of fuels that may have an effect on which fuels and vessels can obtain monetary help, and which fuels are able to assembly the targets within the quick run.”
“Because the measures of their present kind are unlikely to ship an early transition to e-fuels, lively help from nationwide and regional insurance policies can also be wanted. To this finish, the International Maritime Discussion board calls on nationwide governments, regional establishments, and collaborative trade initiatives to re-double their deal with zero-emission transport, for instance by discovering methods to bridge the fee distinction between fossil and e-fuels, supporting the event of required infrastructure and gasoline manufacturing, and making certain that extra is finished to advertise the transition within the International South. Because the trade evaluates its investments on this transition, long-term methods are key to keep away from additional locking into short-term options.”
Notes
[1] In line with the IMO Fourth GHG Research, 2020, worldwide transport alone accounts for ~2.89% of whole world CO₂ emissions.
[2] “At a pivotal assembly, the world is about to determine the way to minimize transport emissions”, revealed in The Dialog, April 7, 2025
