TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 6
reduce GHG emissions and guiding principles; and includes candidate
short-, mid- and long-term further measures with possible timelines
and their impacts on States. The strategy also identifies barriers and
supportive measures including capacity building, technical cooperation
and research and development (R&D).
IMO’s contribution to the global efforts to address climate change
features prominently in IMO’s Strategic Plan. In 2011, IMO became the
first international body to adopt mandatory energy-efficiency measures
for an entire industry sector with a suite of technical and operational
requirements for new and existing vessels that entered into force in 2013.
By 2025 new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built
in 2014.
The mandatory data collection system for fuel oil consumption of ships,
which entered into force in March 2018, will provide robust data and
information on which future decisions on additional measures, over and
above those already adopted, can be made.
The mandatory data collection system is intended to be the first in a
three-step approach in which analysis of the data collected will provide
the basis for an objective, transparent and inclusive policy debate
in the MEPC, under a roadmap (through to 2023) for developing a
‘Comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships’.
The roadmap was agreed in 2016.
GloMEEP, GMTN projects
Support for implementation of IMO’s energy-efficiency measures is
provided, in particular, through two major global projects executed by
IMO:
*The Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project (GloMEEP
Project), aimed at supporting the uptake and implementation of energy
efficiency measures for shipping, thereby reducing greenhouse gas
emissions from shipping. The GloMEEP project was launched in 2015 in
collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations
Development Programme. A ‘Global Industry Alliance to Support Low
Carbon Shipping’ (or GIA), launched in 2017 under the auspices of the
GloMEEP Project, is identifying and developing solutions that can support
overcoming barriers to the uptake of energy efficiency technologies and
operational measures in the shipping sector; and
*The Global Maritime Technology Network (GMTN) Project, funded by
the European Union, which has established a network of five Maritime
Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean,
Latin America and the Pacific. Through collaboration and outreach
activities at regional level, the MTCCs will focus their efforts during 2018
and beyond to help countries develop national maritime energy-efficiency
policies and measures, promote the uptake of low-carbon technologies
and operations in maritime transport and establish voluntary pilot data-
collection and reporting systems.
According to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, said the adoption of the
strategy was another successful illustration of the renowned IMO spirit of
cooperation and would allow future IMO work on climate change to be
rooted in a solid basis.
“I encourage you to continue your work through the newly adopted
Initial GHG Strategy which is designed as a platform for future actions. I
am confident in relying on your ability to relentlessly continue your efforts
and develop further actions that will soon contribute to reducing GHG
emissions from ships,” he stressed.
Continuing the momentum of work on this issue, the Committee
agreed to hold the fourth Intersessional meeting of the Working Group
on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships later in the year. This working
group will be tasked with developing a programme of follow-up actions to
the Initial Strategy; further considering how to progress reduction of GHG
emissions from ships in order to advise the committee; and reporting to
the next session of the MEPC (MEPC 73), which meets 22-26 October 2018.
IMO has already adopted global mandatory measures to address
the reduction in GHG emissions from ships. IMO is also executing
global technical cooperation projects to support the capacity of States,
particularly developing States to implement and support energy efficiency
in the shipping sector.
www.imo.org
The initial GHG strategy was adopted
by IMO’s Marine Environment
Protection Committee (MEPC),
during its 72nd session at IMO Head-
quarters in London, United Kingdom.
The meeting was attended by more
than 100 IMO Member States
Credits: www.imo.org
According to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, said the adoption of the strategy was
another successful illustration of the renowned IMO spirit of cooperation and would
allow future IMO work on climate change to be rooted in a solid basis
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