IAPH: IMO consensus on revised GHG strategy still remote

The 14th session of the IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on GHG Emissions (ISWG-GHG 14) took place from 20 to 24 March. Representing the IAPH delegation were IAPH policy and IMO liaison officer Rhona Macdonald, Bruce Anderson (Starcrest) and Peter Mollema (Port of Rotterdam, chair of the IAPH Climate and Energy Committee), all attending in person. The working group chair initiated the meeting by reminding delegations of the purpose and importance of the work ahead to finalise the revised IMO GHG Strategy by the deadline of MEPC 80 in July this year.

Discussions endeavoured to finalise the elements of the revision. On the levels of ambition, the working group considered various proposals relating to the phase-out date and 2050 targets, along with early action by 2030 and additional interim milestones for 2040. Although no concrete decisions were made on this item, considerable attention was paid to a potential net zero target for 2050. The topic was met with continued diverging views, including from the UK and Sweden, who emphasised the risk of such a target resulting in out-of-sector offsetting which should be strictly avoided. Overall, there was evidence of a willingness to compromise. Nonetheless, significant work is still required to reach a consensus by the given deadline.

On the development of mid- and long-term measures as part of the agreed work plan, a submission from Angola, Argentina, UAE and others proposed a preliminary comparative analysis of candidate measures and their possible combinations to better evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and impacts on states of the proposals. Many were however opposed to such a study, expressing concerns that this would further delay the process to finalise the measures under Phase III of the work plan. To reach a compromise, the working group agreed to establish a dedicated ad-hoc expert workshop making a comparative analysis of the candidate mid-term measures to take place ahead of ISWG-GHG 15. This group will be tasked with carrying out a review of the technical and economic elements to serve as a building block for further discussion. The next meeting of ISWG-GHG 15 is due to take place from 26-30 June before MEPC 80 which is due to take place from 3-7 July.
Source: IAPH