A study conducted by Environmental Defense Fund and Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law finds the International Maritime Organization (IMO) already having legal authority to implement and enforce policies to achieve its new climate target.
The Legal Bases for IMO Climate Measures study finds IMO can – by simply amending its existing regulations – ensure speedy entry into force of climate measures, while ensuring the measures are legally binding, enforceable and implemented globally.
“This legal analysis shows there is a clear path open for the quick adoption of effective and enforceable policies to translate the shipping industry’s ambition on climate change into concrete policies,” said Aoife O’Leary, Legal Analyst at Environmental Defense Fund Europe and co-author of the analysis.
“The IMO has a long track record in adopting enforceable, impactful global measures and IMO policy on climate change should be no different.”
To evaluate what policies and measures the IMO could and should implement to meet the goals set out in its initial climate deal, the study addresses three legal issues:
The analysis finds countries can and should adopt climate measures by amending the IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) – specifically Annex VI, which limits air pollutants from ships.
Countries at the IMO agreed in April to reduce international shipping’s greenhouse gas pollution by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, and to peak emissions as soon as possible.
“Meeting IMO’s climate goal will take significant commitment from the shipping sector, but it will not require a new treaty,” said O’Leary.
“With a smart set of policies and measures, such as new governance arrangements coupled with a cost for polluting, effective climate rules could come into effect within just two years.
“This speedy, elegant way for the IMO to establish climate policies should be welcome news to those concerned with addressing the urgent climate crisis.”
The full study can be found here.
Published: 2 July, 2018
Firm hopes to leverage partnership in Greece as a springboard to expand into neighbouring and overseas markets including Europe and China, says Robin Van Elderen, Regional Head Bunkers, Europe, Sing Fuels.
Singapore can help less developed countries in SouthEast Asia through ‘piloting and scaling fuels and technology as well as a leading hub for green finance’, said DNV Group President and CEO Remi Eriksen.
Octamar™ Ultra HF, Octamar™ Complete, and Octamar™ F35C were found to have improved the fuel economy while reducing exhaust gas and other emissions of marine engines in a series of trials, states report.
Disposal of evidence has resulted in Singapore not being able to provide full details to the United Nationals Panel of Experts which sought information regarding the case, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
‘We are proud to be amongst the first to show the successful steps taken by Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem to remain forward thinking and relevant,’ Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF, tells Manifold Times.
‘With the launch of a common data infrastructure, Kenoil aims to continue achieving an end to end visibility and transparency on the bunker data supply chain,’ states Kenoil Managing Director.