In light of the upcoming 70th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the European Seaports Organisation (ESPO) has urged governments, policy makers, and all maritime and port stakeholders to step up efforts and exercise pressure towards a global solution for emissions reductions and sustainable shipping.
According to ESPO, discussions at MEPC 70, which is due to take place between October 24-28, should focus discussions on further policy measures for the shipping sector for CO2 and climate change reduction and the potential postponement of the 0.5% global sulphur cap.
The organisation believes that the shipping sector must contribute to achieving the global climate change reduction target. Acknowledging the current steps that have been taken, such as the adoption of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), and the global monitoring mechanism in October, ESPO states that there are still steps that need to be taken on an international level to concretely reduce emissions, meet these targets and use and develop the appropriate instruments to do so.
ESPO says that: “There is no time to waste and it would be unfortunate if the forthcoming MEPC meeting does not deliver towards that direction.”
Furthermore, they believe that the current land-based efforts European ports are making to reduce the carbon footprint of port activities must be accompanied without further delay by sea-based efforts.
In addition, the 0.5% global sulphur cap should be kept to 2020 to avoid an unlevelled playing field between the EU and its neighbouring countries and to prove that an ambitious greening agenda is possible at global level.
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