The International Maritime Organization (IMO) made significant progress in negotiations on binding global regulations for the IMO net-zero framework, aiming to meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets set in the 2023 IMO Strategy.
At the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), held from 30 September to 4 October 2024, Member States found more common ground and produced a draft legal text for further talks on GHG reduction measures, expected to be adopted in 2025.
The proposed “mid-term measures” include a marine fuel standard to phase in lower GHG intensity fuels and a global GHG emissions pricing system, pushing the shipping industry towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
The draft text integrates input from Member States on amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, Annex VI), which would make these new measures part of international law if adopted. Discussions also covered the potential creation of a GHG Intensity Registry and a fund to support implementation.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised the constructive dialogue and expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached at the next session in April 2025.
