When the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization began critical negotiations on maritime decarbonization this week, the three seats reserved for U.S. delegates were empty. Just as the Trump Administration pulled the U.S. out of the UN-sponsored Paris Climate Agreement earlier this year, it has now withdrawn from the MEPC talks in London.
In its toughly-worded message, the Trump administration described the IMO’s efforts as “an attempt to redistribute wealth under the guise of environmental protection.” It especially objected to the IMO goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, affirming it would “unwisely promote the use of hypothetical expensive and unproven fuels.”
The MEPC meeting is slated to decide on whether to implement a universal greenhouse gas (GHG) levy or contribution and/or a GHG fuel standard. Both measures are aimed at meeting IMO’s green targets that push shipping to become a net-zero sector by 2050.
The Trump Administration has, however, strongly refused to accept any measures on fuel choice or fees on U.S.-flagged ships based on GHG emissions. It would also consider reciprocal measures to offset any charges on U.S. vessels.
The IMO’s blueprint calls for a 40% reduction in shipping’s carbon intensity by 2030 versus 2008 levels, with 5-10% of global shipping’s energy coming from zero or near-zero GHG emission sources by 2030.
Nautilius International union urges IMO states to stay course
Meanwhile, the Nautilus International union has urged countries to push ahead with shipping decarbonisation plans despite the Trump administration abandoning the negotiations.
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: “Maritime transport accounts for roughly 80% of the volume of international trade in goods. It is essential that our industry decarbonises.
“After years of negotiations and pressure, the shipping industry is finally taking steps to tackle emissions. The actions of the Trump administration cannot be permitted to delay progress at this crucial moment.
“We call on European and global IMO member states to commit to the MEPC negotiations. Further, as a trade union, we will be continuing our campaign for a Just Transition – one that puts workers at the heart of these changes, ensures they can do their jobs safely, and allows them to benefit from the deployment of new technology.”
(Photos from IMO)