Environment
ECSA trusts that
IMO can deliver
an ambitious
initial CO2
reduction
strategy for
international
shipping
Credits : imo.org
E
uropean shipowners strongly believe that the
environmental committee of the IMO, MEPC, can
reach an ambitious initial CO2 reduction strategy
by the end of this week, building on the results of
the meeting of the intersessional working group
of last week. Realising that governments have
to take and give during the negotiations, which
will not be easy and requires courage to do, ECSA
is confident that ultimately all governments
will realise that a deal has to be made. A deal
based on the ambitious European approach, taking into account
legitimate concerns of developing countries and of countries
threatened in their existence by a rising sea level, is in the opinion
of ECSA possible and necessary. European governments can be
the driving force in reaching an agreement that strikes the right
balance between the interests of all countries worldwide.
If an initial strategy is agreed upon, this will give a clear and much
wanted signal to the shipping industry and all other organisations
in the maritime cluster to move full speed ahead to a fully
decarbonised shipping industry as soon as possible. Alternative
low carbon or carbon free fuels, alternative propulsion systems
and operational measures will be absolutely necessary to reach
that ultimate goal. Much R&D has to be done, for which public
funding will be an important source of finance. Also by taking
other smart and effective measures governments can speed up
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the developments, for example by supporting first movers and
adapting or introducing legislation to accommodate new concepts.
On the short and medium term other CO2 emission reduction
measures are possible and should be introduced and implemented
as soon as possible after a thorough assessment of all related
aspects, to prevent mistakes that might harm longer term
developments. imo.org
European shipowners strongly believe that the
environmental committee of the IMO, MEPC, can reach
an ambitious initial CO2 reduction strategy by the end
of this week, building on the results of the meeting of
the intersessional working group of last week. Realising
that governments have to take and give during the
negotiations, which will not be easy and requires
courage to do, ECSA is confident that ultimately all
governments will realise that a deal has to be made.
A deal based on the ambitious European approach,
taking into account legitimate concerns of developing
countries and of countries threatened in their existence
by a rising sea level, is in the opinion of ECSA possible
and necessary.