Global Climate Regulation Stalled
▲Samsung Heavy Industries' 150,000 DWT-class oil tanker delivered to Bikken, Norway in 2004 (photo unrelated to the article)
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector has had its vote postponed by one year due to strong opposition and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Although officially described as a "postponement," there are growing concerns that the plan's adoption is now uncertain, as the Trump administration has warned of disadvantages for countries that vote in favor.
On October 17 (local time), the IMO convened its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its London headquarters to discuss whether to adopt "mid-term measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships." However, the majority of member states opted for a one-year delay. According to foreign news agencies such as AFP, the postponement was approved with 57 votes in favor and 49 against.
Previously, at the 83rd MEPC meeting in April, the IMO had approved the measure and prepared an amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), aiming for it to take effect in March 2027. The amendment stipulated that cargo and passenger ships over 5,000 tons that fail to meet greenhouse gas intensity standards for fuel would be subject to surcharges while operating. International maritime transport accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
This measure was a key component of the so-called "net-zero framework," which aims to reduce the shipping industry's net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. However, it is now at risk of being derailed due to opposition from the United States. The Trump administration criticized the system as a "global carbon tax" and warned that countries supporting it could face measures such as bans on entry to U.S. ports, visa restrictions, trade investigations, and exclusion from government contracts.
Michael Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) the day before the vote, stating, "We expect other countries to stand with the United States. If not, there will be serious consequences." President Trump also posted on Truth Social, his own platform, saying, "The IMO's plan is an attempt to establish a new bureaucracy to pour money into green ideology," and declared, "The United States will not comply with this in any form."
This decision to postpone is seen as a major setback for international climate policy ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will be held in Brazil next month. The European Union and Brazil, which have been leading efforts to decarbonize shipping, are also expected to be significantly affected.
The European Commission issued a statement expressing "deep regret" and affirmed, "We will continue to work toward establishing a scientific and ambitious framework to put international shipping on a net-zero greenhouse gas trajectory by 2050."
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