Experts advising Pacific states at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) caution that biofuels are not a sustainable solution for decarbonizing shipping. They cite concerns over food security, supply constraints, and increased costs for vulnerable economies. The Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST) warns that reliance on biofuels could lead the shipping industry down an unsustainable path, particularly as first-generation biofuels compete with food supply.
MCST legal adviser John Kautoke notes that advanced biomass fuels might also fall short, especially as the aviation sector competes for similar resources. The Pacific nations, including Fiji and the Marshall Islands, are advocating for a clear definition of “zero and near-zero fuels” (ZNZs) at the IMO, which would emphasize scalable technologies like wind propulsion and renewable electricity-based e-fuels while excluding biomass.
With climate change escalating—averaging 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels—experts emphasize the urgency of focusing on methods that can be sustainably scaled. They urge the IMO to establish incentives within the Net-Zero Fund for true zero-emission options, ensuring accessibility for lower-income nations while maintaining food security. Kautoke asserts that rewarding biofuels would compromise both environmental integrity and food supply.
