Ambitious shipping emissions reduction targets and more–WWF expectations for IMO MEPC-80 meeting

From 3-7 July, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 80th Meeting of the Environmental Protection Committee will take place (MEPC-80) in London, United Kingdom. Several key issues are on the meeting’s agenda, with the Revision of the IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy at the top. WWF also hopes to see IMO member states address measures for black carbon and underwater noise, as well as the definition of Arctic waters.

The IMO’s Environmental Protection Committee addresses environmental maritime issues related to shipping, such as pollution, regulations for ships, and identification of special and sensitive areas in the seas.

The Revision of IMO’s GHG Strategy

The key issue at MEPC-80 will be the Revision of IMO’s GHG Strategy, which outlines targets for reducing emissions from the shipping industry. Currently, the target is set at a 50% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, as compared to 2008 as a baseline level.

However, IMO’s current target is not strong enough to ensure that the shipping industry will be able to do their part in reducing emissions enough to limit warming to below 1.5 °C, as set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be able to mitigate major impacts to nature, society and the economy.

For the shipping industry to stay below the 1.5 °C warming, the much more ambitious target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 must be set. In other words, a 100% emissions reduction by 2050, as compared to a 2008 baseline.

WWF is advocating for a Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) reduction pathway, with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Interim goals proposed by the SBTi proposal include reducing emissions by 36% by 2030 and  96% by 2040. This position is supported by several member states, including the US and the UK.

The SBTi pathway would ensure alignment with the shipping industry with IPCC’s science and the 2015 UN Paris Agreement, which nearly every country has ratified.

Additional WWF expectations that will help safeguard Arctic waters

In addition to a more ambitious GHG Strategy, WWF hopes to see IMO member states:

Introduce mandatory measures to reduce Arctic black carbon

Many ships in the Arctic still run on heavy fuel oil (HFO), which generates black carbon. HFO poses severe risks to polar environments and is nearly impossible to clean up if spilled in cold and icy environments. WWF is proposing the IMO to mandate ships that are operating in Arctic waters to switch from HFO to cleaner-burning distillate fuels.

Expand the definition of Arctic waters

The definition of the Arctic involves more than just anything above 66°N. A new WWF policy brief explores how different definitions of the Arctic have different implications for environmental governance.

WWF would like to see IMO expand its definition of the Arctic to better protect the marine environment while addressing ship safety.

Support and expand underwater noise guidelines

Adoption of underwater noise guidelines that were updated earlier this year is expected at MEPC-80. While this is a first step, more must be done.

With underwater noise from shipping doubling in the world’s oceans each decade, WWF wants to see strong, mandatory regulations on underwater noise, including special regulations for the Arctic. This is necessary for the Arctic marine environment, which is particularly sensitive to underwater noise.

Support the Emission Control Area (ECA) in Canadian Arctic waters

WWF welcomes the proposal made by Canada on designating an Emission Control Area (ECA) in Canadian Arctic waters.

The designation of these ECAs is a fundamental step towards cleaner air and healthy coastal communities, by tackling the harmful effects of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) such as black carbon emissions.