UN Secretary-General urges ambitious greenhouse gas targets for shipping industry

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for urgent action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. Speaking at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London, Guterres emphasized the importance of shipping in efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He highlighted that shipping currently accounts for nearly 3% of global emissions and urged delegates to agree on a new greenhouse gas strategy for the industry. Guterres proposed the inclusion of ambitious, science-based targets for absolute emissions reductions and the use of cleaner fuels, starting from 2030.

The IMO’s current target is for the shipping industry to cut its emissions by at least half by 2050. However, Guterres believes that more needs to be done. He called for the inclusion of all greenhouse gas emissions generated by the industry in the new targets and supported the idea of introducing a carbon price for shipping. Some activists have suggested using the revenue from a carbon tax to assist developing countries in dealing with the impacts of climate change, while the industry prefers to allocate the funds towards the development of clean technologies.

Taking into account the significant contribution of shipping to global emissions, Guterres’ appeal highlights the urgent need to tackle this issue. The IMO meeting in London is seen as a crucial opportunity to formulate an effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. By setting ambitious targets and promoting the use of cleaner fuels, Guterres aims to push the industry towards a more sustainable future. Additionally, the potential introduction of a carbon price for shipping could incentivize the transition to greener practices and technologies, helping to mitigate climate change and support the development of cleaner transportation options.

Source .