6PAC+ Delegation in London for Critical IMO Climate Discussions

The 6PAC+ alliance, comprised of Pacific and Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) representatives from Belize, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have arrived in London in preparation for the Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gases (ISWG-GHG 17) meeting and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) meeting.

The stakes at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are high. In July 2023, the IMO unanimously adopted a Strategy that set a clear target to phase out GHG emissions from international shipping by mid-century. Now, over the next two weeks, member states will further consider which legally binding measures need to be adopted to ensure the targets of this 2023 IMO Strategy are met.

The 6PAC+ coalition will be pushing for ambitious, equitable, and urgent measures to combat climate change at the high-stakes ISWG-GHG 17 and MEPC82 meetings, advocating for a universal carbon levy on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping, a cornerstone measure designed to reduce maritime emissions and generate significant revenue to support a just and equitable transition for climates most vulnerable states.

The key 6PAC+ submissions include:
Submission 1 – Specifying the economic measure :
This submission advocates for the introduction of a universal carbon levy starting at $150 per ton of CO2e. The levy is designed to drive the decarbonization of international shipping and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission technologies while ensuring a just transition for all countries, particularly SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The submission emphasizes the importance of setting a high initial levy price to avoid technology lock-in with transitional fuels.

Submission 2 – A just and equitable disbursement framework for revenues generated by mid-term measures combinations and associated draft MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 5 text.
This submission outlines a framework for the fair distribution of revenues generated by the carbon levy. The framework ensures that funds are allocated to both mitigation efforts, such as subsidizing zero-emission technologies, and reparations, compensating vulnerable countries disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of GHG reduction measures

Submission 3 – Assessment of evidence in support of a universal levy/ GFS mid-term measures combination
This submission provides a detailed evidence-based analysis of why a carbon levy, combined with a simple Global Fuel Standard (GFS), is the most cost-effective and equitable approach for shipping decarbonization. The analysis highlights how this combination minimizes long-term costs and provides the best outcomes for developing countries, compared to other policy alternatives.

Submission 4 – Potential Impact of IMO mid-term measures Country case studies for six Pacific SIDS
This submission presents country-specific case studies from Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. These studies show how the IMO’s mid-term measures could disproportionately impact these states’ economies through increased shipping costs. The submission calls for targeted financial support to offset these economic impacts and ensure that no state is left behind in the decarbonization process.

Marshall Islands Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonization, Ambassador Albon Ishoda stated: “As we prepare now for the MEPC 82 and ISWG 17, the urgency to finalize our carbon pricing mechanisms and economic policies has never been greater. Our task now is to ensure that our strategies not only drive down emissions but also safeguard the interests of the most vulnerable nations. It’s imperative that we act decisively to turn our commitments into tangible results, fostering both climate justice and sustainable growth for all. ”

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment, added: “We are at a critical juncture where only bold and rapid action will suffice. Hybrid proposals and low-cost solutions will not achieve the scale of transition we need. To reach our 1.5-degree target, we must embrace the most effective and efficient measures available, specifically those proposed by 6PAC+. The time for incremental steps has passed; now is the moment for transformative change. For us, this is not just a matter of policy, it is a matter of survival!”

The 6PAC+ coalition will actively participate in discussions, pressing for meaningful progress on the IMO’s 2024 GHG strategy and urging swift action on commitments made during previous negotiations. The ISWG 1 7 will be held from September 23 to 27 while the MEPC 82 is scheduled for September 30 to October 4, 2024.
Source: 6PAC+ alliance