The Clean Shipping Coalition welcomed broad support by member states for the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) – the UN shipping body’s long negotiated compromise climate agreement, but criticised attempts by a minority of states to undermine it with ‘alternative proposals’ and called for its adoption at December’s Marine Environment Protect Committee.

While not perfect, the NZF has received broad political support from IMO member states, and remains the best tool available to meet the IMO’s GHG Strategy goals on climate, decarbonisation and a just and equitable energy transition for the shipping industry.

In a world that is getting hotter, the Net-Zero Framework will bring certainty to the shipping sector, and give shape to an energy transition that leaves no country behind.

The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is back on track. A majority of International Maritime Organization member states continue to support the framework – which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships in line with its 2023 greenhouse gas reduction strategy – despite significant pressure from the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Panama and Liberia.

Ahead of next week’s meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (IMO, MEPC 84, April 27-May 1), the Clean Shipping Coalition welcomed progress made during this week’s intersessional meeting and called on member states to “hold the line against those looking to once again disrupt and delay” on the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF).

In response to reports of alternative proposals to the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, the Clean Shipping Coalition called on IMO member states to support the NZF so that the shipping industry can meet its own climate goals.

“The net zero framework [which underlies the carbon levy] may not be perfect, but it has the potential to grow into a set of rules that would allow the IMO and shipping industry to meet their climate and environmental justice commitments.”