The Biden administration has confirmed its intention to join member countries of the International Maritime Organization to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, reversing the environmental policies of the previous Trump government. Previously, only the United States and Saudi Arabia among IMO states had been withholding formal support.

John Kerry, the U.S. Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, made the announcement while addressing an Ocean Conservancy Conference preceding a Biden climate summit which starts tomorrow, Earth Day, and runs till Friday. Prime Minister Trudeau will be among world leaders attending the virtual event.

In a Tweet yesterday, Ocean Conservancy stated: “The U.S. is committing to work with the IMO to reach zero emissions from the shipping industry by 2050.”

According to Reuters, Mr. Kerry declared: “I want to announce that in support of the global effort to keep us in reach of 1.5 degrees Celsius and in support of global efforts to achieve net-zero by no later than 2050, the United States is committing to work with countries in the IMO to adopt the goal of achieving net-zero emissions from international shipping by no later than 2050.”

Mr. Kerry said that the U.S. has the technologies and now would join the efforts investing in initiatives to reduce emissions from the shipping industry. Full details on the U.S. plans and new policy initiatives are expected to be released by the White House in coordination with the Biden climate summit on April 22 and 23.

In November, global environmental summit COP26 is being staged in Glasgow, Scotland. (White House photo of President Biden)